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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



Autlior, Evangelist, Poet and Lecturer 




WILLIAM LEE POPHAM 

Louisville, Kentucky 



Born 1885 on a farm In Kentucky, William Lee Popham has risen 
from a i^low-boy to public life— and to-day, by tlie strokes of his 
p^n and the delivery of his lectures commands the attention of 
anxious thousands. He spends his time in giving expression to 
l)eautif ul sentiments and helpful thoughts to calm the waves in 
life's great sea. 



®<s:^®(S:^®@:§2® 



^1 




Poems of Truth, 
Love and Power 



Original and Complete 



BY WILLIAM LEE POPHAM 





Broadway Publishing Company, 
835 Broadway, New York 



a;^ 







Copyright, 1910, 

BY 

(William I-ee Popham. 



GLA2r)81i ; 



NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC. 

This entire work is protected by copyright; and 
imposters will be prosecuted to the full extent of 
the lazv. 

However, any person or periodical is hereby au- 
thorized by the Author to use any poem, provided 
the same is quoted under the Author's name. 



DEDICATION. 

To all persons who appreciate the baby's smile, 
the mother s lullaby, the wind's zvhisper, the wave- 
let's music, the bird's song, the lover s love, child- 
hood's laugh, humanity's affection, nature's beauty, 
home's enchantment, our country's Hag, God's care 
and the Savior's grace. 

This volume is respectfully 

DEDICATED 

by the 

'AUTHOR, 



PRESENTATION. 

Being an uncommon and constant reminder of 
the giver, a treasure of beautiful sentiment and a 
creed for every home, this book will be found an 
ideal present appropriate for birthdays, weddings, 
Christmas gifts and general presentation purposes. 
If you appreciate this book, order other copies from 
time to time for presentation purposes. 

Price per Copy, in Best Binding, 
One Dollar and Fifty Cents. 

Order all copies from William Lee Popham, 
;/ Author, Louisville, Ky. 

t .^t^y Agents Wanted Everywhere. 

Write for Terms. 

The Author's Other Books 

ARE described IN BACK OF THIS BOOK. 



t 



PREFACE. 

It is needless to say much in behalf of this 
volume, as it speaks for itself louder than echoes of 
tongue or pen. 

This book is original. It is of the Author's brain 
and heart. 

Doubtless others have thought the same thoughts 
expressed herein, but not in the expression of the . 
author's originahty. 

This volume will be appreciated by all lovers of 
nature, beautiful sentiments, echoes of kindness, 
love and hope, advocates of Christianity and 
dreamers. 

This work throughout is of matchless simplicity. 
It appeals to the better nature of man. 

Its sentiment kisses the beauty-land of flowers, 
love, womanhood, music and art. It is affectionate, 
romantic and dreamy. This work is ideal for 
school, church and home. 

Poems may be found herein to suit nearly every 
occasion. Here's a rich field for school commence- 
ments, parlor gatherings, Christmas celebrations, 
the stage and entertainments in general. 

Herein is a choice collection for elocution teach- 
ers and their pupils, and ministers of the Gospel. 
Many a brief sermon is preached in poems. Minis- 

VII 



VIII PREFACE 

ters of every religious sect will quote some of these 
g-ems in their pulpits. 

And well they may. Often one verse of a poem 
will express a speaker's text. 

Some chord of life's harp of a thousand strings 
will utter sweet music in response to a tender touch. 
Tho* this chord be invisible to the pessimist, unseen 
by the false and unheeded by the vain — yet the 
music is slumbering there on some golden key. 

Second in beauty to the angel's message, "Peace 
on earth, good will toward men," are the sentiments 
of a poet — true to humanity and God. 

Tho' he plays upon life's golden keys and alone 
hears the music, tho' he flies amidst the fairyland 
to gather flowers of Praise, his fiction, his rhyme, 
his truth — must be weighed in the silver scale of a 
poet's meaning. 

"The truest heart can ahvays find 
Some truth amidst the fiction; 
For you cannot hind a poet's thought 
With chains of restriction. 
A poet's thought may kiss the sky 
Where his heart is leaning — 
And tho' it he a fairy tale 
The true may catch its meaning." 

Very respectfully, • 

Broadway Publishing Co, 

New York CiTYr 



CONTENTS 

Alphabetically Arranged 



A 

PAGE 

A Mother's Wayward Boy 5 

A Mother's Prayer lo 

Advice To Married Men 1 1 

A Tattler i6 

A Vision 17 

A Boy's Troubles 47 

A Bride's Broken Heart 48 

A Poet's Field , 49 

A Boy's Job 52 

A Poet's Boyhood vs. His Manhood 55 

A Poet's Dream 58 

A Poet's Thoughts of Love 67 

A Mother's Love 75 

Autumn 83 

A Toast 84 

August 85 

A Poet's Heart 85 

A Poet's Dream of Love 88 

A Mother's Love 90 

Around the Cottage Door 90 

Advice To Boys 91 

Aspiration 92 

A Boy's Questions 107 

A Poet's Mission 108 

Alone — Unknown 108 

A Poet's Walk Amid Nature 112 

A Vision 124 

A Child's Thought of the Beautiful Snow 147 

A Little Tot's Speech 148 

A Noble Friend 151 

A Thoughtful Daughter 154 

A Boy 155 

An Optimist 155 

A Lover's Thoughts , 15S 



CONTENTS 



B 

Beauties of Earth 25 

Be Kind 93 

Birds By the Open Door 104 

Be Cheerful (I) 114 

Be Cheerful (II) 133 

Better To Love 150 

Baby and Mother 152 

C 
Companionship 147 

D 

Day By Day 30 

Dreamers 32 

Dissatisfied 128 

Do It Now 136 

December 157 

Don't 165 

Death and Life 177 

E 

Easter 62 

Evening Dreams 109 

Evening 114 

Envy of the Flower Buds 117 

Early Rising 162 

F 

Family History 71 

Flattery and Folly 120 

From a Lonely Lover 158 

G 

Gain thru Conflict 24 

Go Ahead 87 

God Thought 145 

Give Me Only One 151 

Good and Bad Mixed 153 

Golden Keys on the Sea of Life , . , 183 



CONTENTS XI 



H 

Here's To the Bills! 74 

Here's To the One 74 

Heart Beats of Love yy 

House or Home , 82 

How Little Things Grow 132 

How the Hat Sold 140 

Hope 156 

Here's To the One I Love Most 157 

How To Be Happy 162 

His Name Is Kick 180 

How To Live 185 

I 

I'm Nobody's Baby 2 

In Memory's Valley 8 

In the Vale of Tears 18 

I Think of You 25 

If You Were Mine 36 

I Would Win Thy Love 37 

If I Were a Sunbeam 38 

I Think I Thunk a Lie 79 

I'd Be a Prince 105 

If I Were a Smile 115 

In the Isle of Dreams 120 

I'm Wondering 121 

If I Had My Will 122 

If 127 

If Love Had Wings 138 

If We Knew Each Other Better 164 

It Will Do No Good To Whine 166 

It's Hard To Forget 167 

J 

Just Forgive 164 

Just Be Glad 165 

K 

Keep A-Kickin' 100 

Keep A-Goin' 166 

L 

Love's Creed I 

Love Endures 5 



Xlt CONTENTS 



Love's Measure 14 

Love Unites i6 

Love Can Give Me You 18 

Love Makes a King 2.y 

Love 31 

Love's Sunset 42 

Love 41 

Love's Song of the Wind 53 

Love's Prayer 71 

Love's Declaration 78 

Love's Dream 82 

Little Sermons Ill 

Lover's Lane 139 

Life Is What We Make It 141 

Love's Anxiety 148 

Love Shall Live 149 

Love Born Twins 152 

Love's Thoughts 152 

Little Troubles 153 

Love and Pride 153 

Life in the City 158 

Little Things 169 

Love 176 

Love's Forget-Me-Not I79 

Love's Pledge 180 

Love Answers 182 

Lovers 184 

Love's Alphabet ,..,,,,, 1S6 

M 

Man's Way and God's Way 8 

My Savior's Name 10 

Man's Wants 33 

Mother the Queen of Home 65 

My Wishes For You 93 

Modesty 97 

My Creed 104 

My Mission 115 

Mother Nature and Her Twelve Children 116 

My Mother's Face 125 

Mother 132 

My Best I35 

[Memories of Boyhood 137 

My Air Castles 142 

Man Dies To Live 149 



CONTENTS XIII 



N 

New Year's Dawn . . ' 159 

O 

Only a Rosebud 86 

Opportunity 92 

Origin of the Forget-Me-Not 143 

Over the Fields of Summer 160 

P 

Prayer i 

Path of the Optimist 118 

Procrastination 127 

R 

Rest c 139 

S 

Somebody 3 

Sing a Song 4 

Spirit of the Optimist 6 

Streamlets of Love 21 

She's All the World To Me 60 

Selfishness 84 

Safe 97 

Success 106 

Springtime's Call 126 

Sunset on the Farm 134 

Springtime 163 

Successward 168 

Smile or Frown 169 

Sentiments of Love 177 

T 

The Star and the Angel's Song 3 

The Cottage of My Childhood 7 

The Land of Romance 12 

The Letter that Never Came 14 

True Love Mated 16 

The College Girl 20 

That's Kentucky 28 

The Broken Wing 34 

Thoughts of Love Upon the Waters 39 

The Greatest Blessing 41 



XIV CONTENTS 



The Girl We Like 42 

The Banquet of the Bees 44 

To My Sweetheart 45 

Take Your Letters Back 48 

The Lonesome Pine 50 

Thoughts of You 56 

The Rainy Day 57 

The Path of Doubt 60 

The Cottage by the Sea 63 

To My Valentine 72 

The Flowers' Convention 93 

The South 96 

The Pessimistic Poet 96 

The Optimistic Poet 97 

The Peacemaker's Reward 99 

The Saloon's Key 99 

The Road To Success loi 

The Vale of Trouble 102 

The Voyage of Life 103 

The Painted Sign 106 

The Winning Girl 119 

The Miser 126 

The Largeness of Love 128 

Truth 129 

The Time I think of that Sweetheart of Mine 129 

The Girl I Mean To Marry 144 

The Heart's Estate 147 

The Country Boy Goes To the City 148 

The Dying Preacher 150 

The Pessimist 153 

Two Pictures of Life 170 

The Wandering Boy 171 

The Queen of Flowers 172 

The Price of an Apple 173 

The Flower of Flowers 173 

The Southland of Sunshine 174 

The Cheerful Spirit 175 

The Blue and the Gray 175 

The Greatest Thing 178 

The Gift Returned 178 

The Arms of Night 181 

The Author's Other Books 189 

W 

Woman 22 

When the World Was Young 28 



CONTENTS XV 



Where Earth and Heaven Meet 66 

When the Angels Light the Candles in the Sky 83 

Winter lu 

What Makes Home I3g 

We Can Shine ., 152 

What Is Love? ' 162 

What Is the Use? , ,,[[ i6i 

What Things Are For * jSk 

What We Can Do .'.* 188 

Y 

Young Hearts of the Aged no 

Yesterday 131 

Ye Are My Poem , \\ i^p 



Poems of Truth, Love 
and Power 



LOVE'S CREED. 

Heal a broken heart to-day; 
Drop a flower in the way; 
Teach the child at mother's knee 
The truth that makes you free. 
'Tis love that makes the home; 
And tears beneath its dome 
Is the dew from heaven's skies 
Falling thru a mother's eyes. 

This life is but a chance 
To let the Soul advance 
To an angel's form 
Thru everv fleeting storm. 
My heart is lighter, 
My hope is brighter; 
For Christ of Galilee 
To heaven calleth me. 



PRAYER. 

Prayer is the gate to heaven; 

Gratitude is the key; 

Love is the pardon of Jesus 

To make admission free. 

A prayer is just like sunshine 

To light the gloomy air; 

It makes us lighter hearted 

And drives away our care. 

A prayer is just like music, 
It cheers the troubled heart; 
It tips the peak of life with light 

I 



Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 



Where shadows soon depart. 

Is the greatest power in the dollar? 

No! No! 'tis not there; 

But faith can "move mountains" 

By simple, earnest prayer. 

Prayer is a Christian's weapon 

With which to dare and fight— 

Every foe and evil 

In battling for the right. 

An earnest prayer will conquer 

And give you victory's share; 

For God has pledged his promise 

To hear and answer prayer. 



I'M NOBODY'S BABY. 

To-night her hands are folded 

Across a mother's breast; 
She sleeps with the angels 

In heaven's land of rest. 
The doctor came quickly! 

But only shook his head — 
For when he touched the mother 

He found that she was dead. 

The children followed gently 

Her casket to the grave- 
Where rests the sweetest mother 

To children ever gave. 
And now a little cottage 

Is without her care — 
And the good-night kisses 

After a mother's prayer. 

"I'm nobody's baby," sobbed Susie, 

"Nobody to comb my head, 
Nobody now to kiss me 

Before I go to bed. 
Nobody now to love me, 

Nor my pains to smother — 
And oh, I long for heaven 

Where sleeps my darling mother." 



Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 



SOMEBODY. 

Somebody .said a kindly word 

And did a golden deed; 
Somebody helped a friend 

In the time of need; 
Somebody refused to frown 

And wore a smiHng face ; 
And prayed for someone down 

In the rut of low disgrace. 

Somebody had a thankful heart 

And sang a beautiful song; 
Somebody failed to do 

The things they knew were wrong; 
Somebody said that "life is ^sweet 

To them that nobly live; 
Somebody smiled and said, 

"I'm glad to freely give.' 

Somebody graced a happy home 

And lived to shield the right; 
Somebody was true and brave 

And fought a gallant fight; ^ 
Somebody sought the lowly Christ, 

Somebody's speech was true; 
Somebody's going to win a crown, 

Is this somebody you? 



THE STAR AND THE ANGEL'S SONG. 

To-night the sky is blooming 
With countless stars that shine; 

But one above the rest 
Is the star divine. 

With glowing light and silent words 
As a lighthouse at sea — 

It guided men of wisdom 
To the Babe of Galilee. 

The shepherds paused amid the hills 

To hear the angel's song- 
While the star of heaven shone 

To guide the anxious throng. 



poems of Truth, Love and Power 

And while the Babe was sleeping 

By Mary in the stall— 
The angel sang, "Good will" 

And promised peace to "all." 

Near two thousand years ago 

The Christ-child was born; 
And Christmas celebrates 

That eventful morn; 
To-day the army of His friends 

Three hundred million strong — 
Praise heaven for the "peace" 

Of the angel's song. 



SING A SONG. 

When the clouds appear the thickest 

And daylight seems withdrawn, — 
And the joy of living 

Seems entirely gone — 
Just fill the air with music 

As you plod along; 
And salute the heavens 

With a cheerful song. 

When the shadows seem the darkest 

It's just a little distance thru— 
To the silver lining 

Amid the gray and blue. 
Then never doubt and worry, 

But trod boldly on; 
And the happy birds 

Will join your merry song. 

When your heart is saddened 

And is full of doubt — 
And the clouds refuse 

To let the sunshine out, — 
Remember that a prayer 

Mingled with a song- 
Will bring down the sunbeams 

And help you right along. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

LOVE ENDURES. 

Dear, to-night I'm thinking 

Of things that disappear — 
That come and go like bubbles 

Like a baby's tear. 
Friends and time and money, 

Like the spoken words — 
Linger with us briefly 

And fly away like birds. 

The friends I knew of long ago 

And dreams along the beach — 
Have vanished in the past 

Far beyond my reach. 
Heaven and you are only true 

And none but thee is sweet; 
And your sunny smile 

Makes my life complete. 

In visions of my dream 

My life is full of hope; 
For love has tied our hearts 

With a silver rope. 
Remaining years of life 

Are surely growing fewer; 
And only you and heaven 

Will blossom and endure. 



A MOTHER'S WAYWARD BOY. 

God help the gray-haired mother 

Whose boy is going astray. 
He is wandering along in sin 

Afar from the narrow way. 
Oh ! beckon the poor boy homeward ! 

Why should he longer roam? 
Perhaps a prayer for a mother's boy 

Will bring the wanderer home. 

God help the dear old mother 
Whose boy is in the street; 

Wasting away his life in sin 
And dire temptations meet. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Poiver 

For the world is full of evil, 
And the future, who can tell? 

The many snares for a wayward boy 
In the pathway down to hell. 

Send up your prayers, mother! 

Your boy may hear the sound; 
And see thy hand beckoning him 

From sin's enchanted ground. 
When he pays no heed to your calling, 

Tho' tears may fall hke rain; 
God will hear a mother's prayer 

And soothe a mother's pain. 

Never cease to pray, dear mother! 

How can you give him up? 
How can you yield your darling boy 

To the snares of the drunkard's cup? 
Some day he may heed your calling, 

Tho' your tears seem in vain; 
For God will hear an earnest prayer 

And relieve a mother's pain. 



SPIRIT OF THE OPTIMIST. 

There's never a prayer in the world 

But makes a heart the truer; 
There's never a ray of sunshine 

But makes the shadows fewer; 
There's never a flower growing 

But has its shade of beauty; 
There's never a noble man 

Who didn't kneel to duty. 

There's never a singing bird 

But made the morning sweeter; 
There's never a drop of rain 

But made the stream the fleeter; 
There's never a heavy cross 

But its crown is waiting; 
There's never a lover woos 

But craves the sweet relating. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

There's never a noble cause 

But in the end it's gaining; 
There's never a day so wet 

But flowers drink its raining. 
There's never a song that's sung 

But some one hears the sounding; 
There's never a noble work 

But God did the founding. 

There's never a word of love 

But a soul's uplifted; 
There never was a man 

But of some good was gifted. 
There never was a need 

For abuse and scorning; 
There never was a night 

But a brighter morning. 

There never was a star 

That did not give its splendor; 
There never was a heart 

But that it was tender. 
There never was a soul 

Of trust and high endeavor 
That trusted in the Christ 

But that lives forever. 



THE COTTAGE OF MY CHILDHOOD. 

Around the pleasant cottage 

Where earth and heaven met — 
I chased the fleeting bats 

When the sun was set. 
When the "lightning bugs" 

Fluttered on the wing — 
Mother took the baby 

And began to sing. 

The one who then was baby 

Alas! is grown; 
And my mother's song 

And childhood have flown. 
But still I hear the music 

In twilight's afterglow; 
And I hear mother 

Singing soft and low. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 

Well do I remember 

When free from care — 
I knelt at mother's knee 

In my evening prayer. 
And to-night I stand 

In the cottage door; 
And I would the dream 

Could last evermore. 



IN MEMORY'S VALLEY. 

She is gone and yet I see her 

In the meadow fair; 
As when the breezes fondled 

Her locks of golden hair. 
The purple-hearted violets 

That cluster in the bed — 
Will never cluster more 

Around her curly head. 

Here we walked together 

By the sloping cave; 
And now I gather flowers 

To place upon her grave. 
Flowers die and wither 

And new things are strange; 
But love sweet and olden 

Can never, never change. 



MAN'S WAY AND GOD'S WAY. 

She was only a woman 

Amid the throng — 
Before the Savior 

For a grievous wrong 
Mary Magdalene 

Made no denial; 
But meekly stood 

To face the trial. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

The man was absent 

On whom the blame 
ShouM surely fall 

With equal shame. 
Doubtless the man 

Was guilty as she; 
But she must suffer 

And him go free. 

It isn't fair 

To shield the man; 
But it were thus 

Since time began. 
Man goes free 

And saves his name; 
And woman bears 

The cruel shame. 

But Jesus Christ 

Whom all should trust — 
Is Judge and Lord 

Both kind and just. 
He didn't condemn 

The woman alone; 
But told "the sinless" 

To cast the stone. 

The Savior knew 

They were unfair, 
And none were sinless 

Who wrangled there. 
And when they fled 

The woman stayed — 
To hear the answer 

That Jesus made. 

*Tis not God's way 

When one is down — 
To push them lower 

With a frown. 
"Go thy way 

And sin no more;" 
And saying this 

The trial was o'er. 



lo Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

A MOTHER'S PRAYER. 

Angels pause in solitude 

Amid their mansions rare — 
To dry a mother's tear 

And hear a mother's prayer. 
We may wander far away 

From the voice we long to hear; 
Yet feel a mother's pleading 

And almost see her tear. 

Methinks I see the sleeping child 

Upon the trundle bed — 
And a mother's kiss 

Upon the darling's head. 
And many are the nights 

Of sorrow and despair — 
But the shadows vanish 

After a mother's prayer. 

The home's an earthly heaven 

Where childhood's golden hair 

Is the inspiration 

Of a mother's prayer: 
And the lowly Christ 

Will help the home to bear — 
Every pain and sorrow 

Thru a mother's prayer. 

In our manhood struggles 

When things seem unfair — 
We often think of childhood 

And a mothers prayer: 
And if home and nation 

Would know a lesser care — 
Men must not ignore 

A mother's earnest prayer. 



MY SAVIOR'S NAME. 

Make ink of tears and suffering years, 

All ye poets of fame, 
With every sage of ancient age 

And write my Savior's name. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power ii 

Pens of gold by hands of old 

Or the modern sage's pen — 
Can never write in rays of light 

His saving grace to men. 

Thru faith alone in noiseless tone. 

In justice to His plan, 
Can His name become a flame 

Within the heart of man. 

Him crucified — His blood applied 

No one need longer roam; 
For the peace will never cease 

In heaven's cloudless home. 



ADVICE TO MARRIED MEN. 

Your wife should ever be 

A sweetheart by your side — 
For long as you're a groom 

She will be a bride. 
Women never grow 

Old and inattractive — 
If the husband's wooing 

Is gallant, true and active. 

Keep the love a-burning; 

And if your honeymoon — 
Ends at the grave 

'Twill not end too soon. 
Don't, oh man, neglect 

As other men are doing — 
The tender words of love 

And your daily wooing. 

Like a tender flower 

Woman needs attention; 
And your flaming love 

You should daily mention. 
God only knows 

The love a woman craves; 
For man's inattention 

Is filling early graves. 



12 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

She who has to take 

A man's love for granted; 
Craves the spoken word 

And cannot feel enchanted. 
I know a thousand men 

Who have never spoken — 
A dozen words of love 

And their vows have broken. 

And a thousand wives 

Are in tears and pain — 
Craving words of love 

But only crave in vain. 
Woman craves a romance — 

A romance all her life; 
And thus romantic love 

Won her as your wife. 

Then do not, my brother, 

Let the romance cease — 
With the honeymoon 

When it should increase. 
Love each other now — 

As in your youthful day; 
For love is sweeter still 

When each is growing gray, 



THE LAND OF ROMANCE. 

I like to think of romance — 

The fair land of love — 
Where angels send their kisses 

As greeting from above; 
Where flows the crystal fountain 

That forms the winding stream, 
Where lovers woo and revel 

And sing, and laugh and dream. 

Do you not, Oh! dreamer. 

Travel in this land — 
Where happiness is dawning 

And everything is grand? 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 13 

It's the lovers' heaven 

Surpassing Eden's bliss ; 
And who could not desire 

Such a land as this? 

Tropical with flowers 

Cupid doth remember — 
That June roses 

Blossom in December. 
And if the tales 

Cupid tells are so — 
It's the land for me 

Where pleasure seekers go. 

My heart leaves my bosom 

When Cupid tells the story — 
Of this happy land 

Of romantic glory. 
Here I sit in vision 

While the sun is set; 
And rosy lips I see 

And eyes black as jet. 

The rosy lips are calling, 

And eyes of magic glance — 
Are luring me onward 

To the "land of chance". 
Cupid says the trees 

Are full of waving plumes — 
And the air is sweet 

With tropical perfumes. 

Magic birds they say 

Rise and float about — 
Dispelling every gloom 

And the dreamer's doubt. 
And these magic birds 

Are kisses from above — 
As the angels' greeting 

To the land of love. 

The moonlight fills the valley 

Where the brooklet flows — 
While the lovers stop 

To pluck a blooming rose. 



14 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

The stream is merrily singing 

In its rippling whirls — 
And the breezes kiss 

The maiden's dancing curls. 

To-night in rosy vision 

I hear that singing rill; 
And smell the fragrance 

The flowers there distill. 
And I see the rose 

In her finger tips — 
As she fondly brings 

The flower to her lips. 

While the balmy breeze 

Made her tresses float — 
She sweetly kissed the rose 

And pinned it to my coat. 
And deep within the flower's heart 

That kiss shall keep it sweet; 
For thoughts of her shall keep it fresh 

Long as mine shall beat. 



LOVE'S MEASURE. 

A pint, quart or gallon 

Will measure rain or snow; 
And a rule of inches 

Will measure calico. 
Days, weeks and months 

Will measure years; 
But naught can measure love 

But noble deeds and tears. 



THE LETTER THAT NEVER CAME. 

There was a blue-eyed maiden 

Whose cheeks were like a cherry — 
With soft and rosy lips 

Like a ripened berry. 
And her heart was happy 

With love's burning flame — 
Till her hopes were vanished 

With the letter that never came. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 15 

He used to send her flowers 

With poetic rhymes — 
Which bespoke the joys 

Of the wedding chimes; 
And the happy day 

When she would bear his name; 
But her heart is longing 

For the letter that never came. 

The maiden tried to reason 

And only to suppose — 
That he was waiting 

The message to disclose. 
But each lonely twilight 

Found her just the same — 
Awaiting for the letter 

That never, never came. 

Once he sat beside her 

With words of love disclosing; 
And now she dreams them o'er 

In her quiet reposing. 
But her throbbing breast 

Of a heart that's hurt and tame, 
Only tells the story 

Of the letter that never came. 

She wanders by the river 

Where they use to stroll — 
And a lover's longing 

Penetrates her soul. 
Strange voices seem to whisper 

Of a lover's shame; 
While her heart is pining 

For the letter that never came. 

She prayed and dreamed and cried 

That fate should soon supply— 
Her heart with love and joy 

In the sweet by and by. 
And ere another week 

Cupid won the game; 
For her lover came to take the place 

Of the letter that never came. 



1 6 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

LOVE UNITES. 

Love is stronger 

Than earthly kings — 
And hearts are warmed 

Beneath its wings. 
Hills are gray \ 

With roaming sheep — ^^ 
Like wavelets lost 

Amid the deep : 
Yet love will bring 

My mate to me — 
From yonder hill 

Or distant sea. 



A TATTLER. 

"A sounding brass 

Or a tinkling symbol," 
A braying ass 

Whose tongue is nimble; 
A poison belle, 

A noisy rattler; 
An imp of hell 

Is a tattler. 



TRUE LOVE MATED. 

No life should be alone; 

For God in kindly fate — 
Inspires mutual love 

To give to each a mate. 
Love will not forsake; 

Love will not deceive; 
And the true are happy 

Without a cause to grieve. 

Hope is on the wane 

When rosy love turns pale; 
And where love is not 

Aspirations fail. 
But where love abides 

Fear and hate retreat; 
For two gladsome hearts 

With joy and union beat. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 17 

When hope is on the wane 

Ere the dawn of day — 
Think of winter flowers 

That dream of another May. 
Beneath the winter snow 

The flowers still pursue; 
And hope will blossom into love 

When two hearts are true. 



A VISION. 

I dreamed that I was king 

And sat upon the throne — 
To test the love of she 

Ere I claimed my own. 
The law was plainly written 

That I should be deseated — 
If she denied the king her love 

And leave him there defeated. 

The darling of my dream 

Came to court and stood — 
Before my golden seat 

In glow of womanhood. 
She paler grew and weakened 

And her pain was real; 
But gently said "I love him," 

To thus my fate unseal. 

"Dear, I'll bear the burdens 

That seem to pull thee down; 
And freely bear the cross 

That you may wear the crown.' 
I led her to the throne 

That she would understand — 
And kneeling by her side 

I gently kissed her hand. 

Thus her willing answer 

Helped me to attain — 
The power of a kingdom 

Where love is not in vain. 
And waking from my dream 

I held her wedding ring — 
Clasped tightly in my hand; 

And still I am a king. 



i8 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 



LOVE CAN GIVE ME YOU. 

The sun can give me sunshine 

Its light and warmth convey— 
TwiHght brings me shadows 

At the close of day. 
The sky can give me crimson 

And yellow, gray and blue; 
But only love and heaven 

Dear, can give me you. 

Fame can bring me honor. 

Bees will bring me honey, 
God will crown my efforts 

And work will bring me money. 
Meadows yield their flowers 

Kissed with morning dew; 
But love and your kisses 

Dear, can give me you. 

Faith can bring me heaven, 

Peace will bring me rest. 
But only love can bring 

The one I love the best. ^ 
The birds can bring me music, 

God can make us true; 
But only love, my dearest, 

Gives my heart to you. 



IN THE VALE OF TEARS. 

Life is a chain of dreams 

Fencing the nights of sleep; 
And only the unborn 

Never dream and weep. 
Christ the Saviour wept 

In the age of jeers; 
And many live to-day 

In the vale of tears. 

Voices sweet that charmed us 
With their loving thrill— _ 

Long have ceased their music 
And their lips are still. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 19 

And since the dawn of sorrow 

The multiplying years — 
Have found us wearing crape 

In the vale of tears. 

Climb we up the mountain 

From the vale below — 
To aibide forever 

Beyond our pleasure's foe. 
But joy is not on mountains 

Or 'mid grand chandeliers; 
But often comes thru sorrow 

In the vale of tears. 

We may gather flowers 

From the blooming field — 
Where, too, we may pray 

And thus great power wield. 
The flowers fair shall wither 

But the prayer that conquers fears- 
Shall live on forever 

In the vale of tears. 

Men who cannot weep 

Are of a lower rate — 
Than the highest standard 

Whereby men are great. 
Men are measured not 

Alone by great careers; 
But hearts are broke and made 

In the vale of tears. 

Heroes are never found 

Were the easy fared; 
But only in the front 

Where the true hath dared. 
Man can be a hero 

Amid the shout of cheers; 
But the greatest hero 

Is in the vale of tears. 

Love hath shed its tears 

Where the true atone — 
For the cruel false 

In the vale alone. 



20 Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 

And the tears of heart 

And sobs a lover hears — 
Would make the angels weep 

In the vale of tears. 

Too deep for tears doth sorrow 

Often brood and lie; 
When tears cannot flow 

The heart alone may cry. 
Sobs are too sacred 

For human ears — 
And are heard by angels 

In the vale of tears, 



THE COLLEGE GIRL. 

The college girl is cunning. 

Yea, she is a schemer ; 
And as full of romance 

As a poet dreamer. 
Tho' the rule be strict 

On the pupils' wooing — 
Her love-light is burning 

And still she's pursuing. 

Her cap is like a picture 

In a poem book; 
Her walk is full of dreaming 

By the drowsy brook. 
Her face is full of heaven ; 

Her head is full of learning; 
Her soul is full of love; 

The love-light is burning. 

Pluck the stars from heaven 

And throw them to the sun, 
Is about as easy 

As to stop her fun. 
Uproot the trees 

And o'er the mountain shove, 
Is about as easy 

As to stop her love. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 21 

While the commencement 

Was in merry swing — 
The father came to hear 

His daughter speak and sing. 
And the good professor 

Said to her father — 
"My pupils' wooing 

Has given me some bother; 

"But your pretty daughter 

Has kept the rule; 
Hasn't had a fellow 

During all the school. 
Her only men callers 

Were her noble brothers; 
While other girls have had 

Just as many lovers." 

Then the father said 

As he softly smiled — 
"Professor, you're mistaken, 

I only have one child." 
The professor wrings his hands 

While "dad" discovers— 
That the "noble callers" 

Were his daughter's lovers. 



STREAMLETS OF LOVE. 

A stream arose in the mountain 

And started its journey alone, 
So tiny and weak and shallow 

It scarcely made a tone. 
I thought of its rugged journey 

In its nature to seek its level, 
And its association 

In its winding revel. 

It skipped down the mountain 

And reached the vale below, 
And there embracing another 

Till onward together they flow. 
Then stronger and more contented 

Each helping the other along, 
They wooed in the fortunate meeting 

And blended together their song. 



22 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

And onward they flowed in the valley 

Each happy as happy could be; 
Till they made their home together 

In the arms of the trackless sea. 
And who can doubt that the streamlets 

In their journey thru valley and wood — 
Aided not each other 

In doing their measures of good? 

So on life's wonderful mountain 

Were born two human hearts; 
Each small and weak and tender — 

But here the journey starts. 
Each alone and drifting 

Amid life's sun and mist — 
Till onward together they journey 

Where each is wooed and kissed. 

Onward they journey together 

While the joys of life increase, 
In marriage of love and sweetness 

Where dwells eternal peace. 
And who can doubt that the lovers 

Were guided by the Hand above, 
As onward together they journeyed 

Like the mountain streamlets of love? 



WOMAN. 



Woman is a flower 

Of heaven's holy scene; 
And of all creation 

Woman is the queen. 
Light of earth and heaven 

And the gleam of skies- 
Are beaming in her face 

And shining in her eyes. 

Like the noonday sun 

Her love-light glows ; 
Tho' silent in expression 

Her heart most overflows. 
A love that lures a man 

To honor's highest goal — 
Is the love of woman 

Born of her soul. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 2% 



Her voice is music. 

Her touch is cure— 
For aching pain 

Which hearts endure. 
She plucks the thorns 

From man's abode — 
And plants the flowers 

In his road. 

Woman gave birth 

To the Savior of men— 
And inspires 

The poet's pen. 
Her love is holy, 

Her love is brave— 
Which naught can conquer 

But the grave. 

Her tears are lost 

Amid her cries; 
Her words are lost 

Amid her sighs; 
But the love 

That she acquires— 
Is never lost 

In quenchless fires. 

Deeper than the ocean, 

Higher than the sky- 
Is the love of woman 

Which gold cannot buy. 
Gain her love 

And all is well— 
Which man can neither 

Buy nor sell. 

Her soothing tone 

Is sweet as rest; 
Her sunny smile 

Of all, is best. 
And maid or mother, 

Sweetheart or wife- 
Is the dearest 

Thing of life. 



^4 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

No bud or blossom 

Can compare — 
With her lips 

And graces rare. 
Then let the world 

Not withhold — 
The praise of woman 

Young or old. 



GAIN THRU CONFLICT. 

When the world frowns darkly 

And hope is on the wane — 
Be constant, true and patient; 

Defeat will blossom into gain. 
If your aim is high and honest. 

In victory it will tell ; 
For before the pearl is gotten 

There must be a broken shell. 



When defeat is all around you 

And hope is in the pit, 
Gain is near its dawning 

For the one who has the grit. 
Remember that the grape 

Is crushed ere the wine; 
And behind the shadows 

The golden sun doth shine. 

Blossoms shed and fruit appears; 

Blessings often in disguise 
Are slumbering in defeat 

For the true and wise. 
And when we helpless lie 

Deprived of life and breath, 
Immortal lips of hope 

Will kiss the lips of death. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 25 



i 



I THINK OF YOU. 

When the- moon is shining 

And its beauties shed— 
O'er the dewy flowers 

The daffodils were wed. 
And I hear the whisper 

Of the summer wind — 
Which seems to speak 

Of an absent friend. 

At evening when the skies 

Form a blooming dome, 
I glide along the waters 

Amid the creamy foam; 
And I find the lilies 

You touched with the oar— 
And only think of you 

Far away from shore. 

In the dewy morning 

Of the rosy dawn— 
I see the drowsy cattle 

Moving slowly on. 
And when the golden East 

Attracts a poet's view— 
I forget its beauty 

And only think of you. 

You're my only teacher, 

Tho' far away— 
Love has taught me how to live, 

To listen and to pray. 
I see a pair of happy doves 

And hear their loving coo; 
And beauties of their grace 

Make me think of you. 



BEAUTIES OF EARTH. 

Beautiful! is human life 
Upon the blooming earth, ^ 

Where songs of breeze and birds 
Are mingled with our mirth. 



26 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

Merciful ! is God, 

Who sends the dew and rain— 
And the sun and cloud 

To make the golden grain. 

Musical ! the brooks 
In their constant glee; 

Drink for man and beast 
Flowing thru the lea. 

Delicious! are the fruits 
That cluster on the vine ; 

Sparkling! is the juice 
Made to flowing wine. 

Fragrant! are the flowers 
That grow along our way. 

And golden! is the sun 
That makes each perfect day. 

Happy! are the lovers 
A-throb with spirits gay; 

Beautiful! the skies 
Mixed with blue and gray. 

Refreshing! is the ocean, 

Beautiful! its shells; 
Sacred ! are the chimes 

Of the Sabbath bells. 

Sweet! is matrimony 
Where love's door is shut — 

Against deceit and envy 
Tho' it be a hut. 

Contented! are the toilers 
In the fields of beauty; 

Happy is humanity 
In deeds of duty. 

Beautiful! the fields 
Of cotton, corn and rice; 

Stately ! are the oaks 
That form a paradise. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 27 

Wonderful ! is love 

And who of you can doubt it — 
When the human heart 

Can't do without it? 

Playful! are the children 

In their merry laughter; 
Sweet ! is human life 

Here and hereafter. 



LOVE MAKES A KING. 

There's a star in the sky, 

There's a song in the air, 
There's a tear in my eye, 

There's a forget-me-not fair. 
And thou art the flower 

Of whom fairies sing — 
Thou art the power 

That makes me a king. 

For man is king 

Who claims thy love; 
And his dreams bring 

The songs from above. 
There's a joy in the earth, 

There's a wonderful light; 
For love found birth 

One beautiful night. 

'Twas on the night 

I beheld your face — 
In the parlor's dim light 

Like roses in vase. 
And since that time 

The beautiful sing — 
In every rhyme 

Since I am king. 

Since that night the world is newer, 

Since that night I've heard your voice. 
Since that night my fears are fewer — 

And since you are my choice. 
And to-day the valley's blooming 

In accord with Nature's scheme; 
And the joy that love's consuming 

Is abiding in my dream. 



28 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

WHEN THE WORLD WAS YOUNG. 

Sweethearts without a rival. 

Love without a flaw, 
Marriage minus license, 

Without a mother-in-law. 
Music without notes 

And the song they sung — 
Must have been a dandy 

When the world was young. 

Beds minus bedbugs. 

Dresses without the "bills". 
Health without doctors 

And their coated pills. 
Life filled with pleasure 

Till Eve got "stung" — 
With the serpent's He 

When the world was young. 

Amid the leaves and flowers 

Ripened apples hung — 
And birds made the music 

When the world was young. 
Did Eve and Adam quarrel? 

Did woman have a tongue? 
Well, perhaps so. 

When the world was young. 



THAT'S KENTUCKY. 

Where the skies are grayest 
And the birds are gayest. 

That's Kentucky. 
Where the girls are sweetest 
And the colonels neatest, 

That's Kentucky. 
Where horses are the fastest 
And politics the nastest, (?) 

That's Kentucky. 
Where timber grows the tallest 
And men become the baldest, (?) 

That's Kentucky. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 2g 

Where home hearts are lightest 
And mountaineers the "lightest", 

That's Kentucky. 
Where negroes are the blackest 
And pistols are the crackest, 

That's Kentucky. 

Where bluegrass is the greenest 
And swords are the keenest, 

That's Kentucky. 
Where mountain streams are purest 
And "crackers" are the fewest, ( ?) 

That's Kentucky. 
Where flowers bloom the longest, (?) 
And bravery is the strongest, 

That's Kentucky. 
Where kisses are the rarest 
And maidens are the fairest. 

That's Kentucky. ^ 
Where southern skies are clearest 
And love is the dearest. 

That's Kentucky. 
Where sunsets are the goldest 
And "latch strings" are oldest, 

That's Kentucky. 
Where lovers are the "matest" 
And sorrow is the latest, 

That's Kentucky. 

Where times are the finest 
And hospitality kindest, 

That's Kentucky. 
Where farmers are the wealthiest 
And children are the healthiest. 

That's Kentucky. 
Where orators "blow" the loudest 
And colonels feel the proudest. 

That's Kentucky. 
Where appetite is relish, 
And whisky's strong and "hellish". 

That's Kentucky. 
Where churches tower the highest 
And charity is the nighest, 

That's Kentucky. 
Where soldiers are the pluckiest 
And visitors are luckiest, 

That's Kentucky. 



30 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

DAY BY DAY. 

I give the past its yesterdays; 

The future its to-morrows; 
Likewise every pain 

Aud multiplying sorrows. 

But memories sweet and fragrant 
Like flowers in my way, 

I keep from the past 
To cheer me day by day. 

The past is my teacher 
With lessons that I heed; 

Henceforth I'll slowly go 
In making plans and speed. 

For the olden teacher 
That we should all obey — 

Is the fleeting past 
Which guides our feet to-day. 

The "good things in store'* 

Are not so far away; 
But lie at our hands 

For uses day by day. 

Time will rot the forest; 

But Truth cannot decay; 
Then let us practice duty 

In truth day by day. 

Character immortal 
Is what we do and say; 

And germinates in thought — 
Growing day by day. 

Temptation is an army 

Marching in the fray; 
But we can win the battle 

Fighting day by day. 

The aged travel onward 
And youth fair and gay — 

Is reaching manhood 
At living day by day. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 31 



The lessons of the past 
Teach us how to pray; 

And we may shape the future 
Praying day by day. 



LOVE. 

I am born in the sky of mystery, 

I seek, I give, I take; 
I penetrate the mountains 

Or ocean, sea and lake. 
I'm bold and strong and fearless, 

I come, I go unseen; 
And 'mid the frosts of winter 

I am life's evergreen. 

I am queen of the heart, 

I am a royal king; 
I can smile, cry or laugh, 

And whistle, talk or sing. 
My complexion is in the flowers. 

Their fragrance is my breath; 
I'm ruler of mighty nations 

And conquer all save death. 

I dwell in mansions of pleasure, 

I am wild, I am tame, I am coy; 
I am here, I am there, I am gone, 

I am born of a flame; I am joy. 
I am the same in sorrow and gloom, 

I'm fairest of all; I am prince; 
I cannot be chained by iron bands 

Nor hedged by any fence. 

I'm swift, I'm slow— serene, 

I am given to seek my own; 
I will stay in chill and cold 

When the summer birds have flown. 
My kingdom is the human heart; 

I am peaceful as the dove; 
I'm born of the starry heaven 

And my matchless name is love. 



32 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

DREAMERS. 

They tread the vales of unborn Time 

And sleep av/ay the years; 
They see the dome of heaven 

And rise above their fears. 
They sail the heaving seas ; 

Their compass being dreams — 
That guide their head and heart 

O'er the roaming streams. 

A flash into the night 

Where only thoughts hath led, 
A charge upon the foe 

Where soldiers stood and bled; 
A stroke into the cloud 

Where lightning flashes curled — 
Are in the dreamers' dream 

That move the mighty world. 

Towers pierce the skies, 

Bridges reach and span — 
And homes are planned and built 

Of the dreams of man. 
Inventors dream and give 

To the world the dream; 
Poets dream and give 

The vision in the theme. 

Artists dream and paint, 

Musicians dream the tunes. 
Lovers dream and woo 

Away the happy Junes. 
Fulton dreamed of power 

And thus invented steam; 
And nations of the earth 

Revel in his dream. 

Franklin dreamed of power; 

Took lightning from the sky; 
And now a billion wheels 

With its power fly. 
The progress of the world 

Shall blossom with attempt; 
And ripen into harvest 

Because a dreamer dreamt. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 33 

MAN'S WANTS. 

"Man wants but little here below", . 

One has lightly said; 
But he who wants but little 

Is the man that's dead. 

Man wants and wants and wants 

And wants it for a song; 
But doesn't want to sing it 

If the meter's long. 

The more he gets the more he wants 

And harder he will press it; 
Till he wants so much 

That one could hardly guess it. 

The creeds of truth and right 

Are ignored for greed; 
Still he wants and wants 

Far beyond his need. 

The maiden wants to marry 

And that's the proper course; 
And some have reached the goal 

And chiefly want divorce. 

Some are wanting rain 

And others want it sunny; 
And needless we may say 

That all are wanting money. 

The doctor wants sickness 

And the coffin maker — 
Joins in the want 

Of the undertaker. 

Nations want peace 

And go to war to get it; 
Gamblers want the dollar 

Bad enough to bet it. 

M: 1 wants a happy home 

To make his life a song — 
An d a woman's love 

To lead him out of wrong. 



34 Poems of Tr.uth, Love and Power 

He wants a kindly word 
To cheer him on the way; 

A place to lay his head 
And three good meals per day. 

He wants a maid to call his own 
And lean upon his arm — 

To shield from cruel care 
And fear and want and harm. 

He wants two rosy lips 

To softly press his own — 

And put his arm around her waist 
When they are all alone. 

He wants the golden sun 
To make the gardens grow, 

A little rain and dew 
To keep 'em on the go. 

He wants a spot of shade 

Amid the cooling breeze; 
And music from the birds 

That warble in the trees. 

But let our prayer be: "Give us 
This day our daily bread;" 

And when this want is had 
The most is truly said. 

I want some one to love me, 
Some one for me to love; 

For lives of mated lovers 
Are kin to bliss above. 



THE BROKEN WING. 

started to the meadow 

For the morning air — 
And to be alone 

In meditation there. 
Being full of poetry, 

Gratitude and praises — 
I sought the solitude 

Of the lea of daisies, 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 35 

I heard a fainting cry 

And looking there I found — 
A bird with broken wing 

Lying on the ground. 
And sitting in the tree 

Was its anxious mate — 
That seemed to realize 

The peril and the fate. 

But be it far from me 

To harm this little thing — 
Lying there to die 

With a broken wing. 
I took it to the brook 

To give it food and drink; 
And there we sat together 

By the grassy brink. 

Then its mate came nearer 

And began to sing — 
As if asking me 

To mend the broken wing. 
I built a cage 

Of sticks and weeds; 
For there was want 

For noble deeds. 



I carefully set 

The broken wing — 
With a splint 

And piece of string; 
I tied its wing 

Close to its side; 
For I was sad 

And nearly cried. 

Then I prayed to him 

"Who notes the sparrow's fall" — 
And put it in the cage 

Till I could later call. 
I left food and drink 

In its little cell — 
And knew that God 

Would help to make it well. 



2,6 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

A week had flown 

When back I went; 
And found it there 

But discontent. 
I clipped the string 

And made it free 
To join its mate 

Upon the tree. 

The happy pair 

Free from pain — 
Joining there 

In glad refrain — 
More than paid 

For all my care — 
And the words 

Of anxious prayer. 



IF YOU WERE MINE. 

Let shadows come and shadows go, 

Let cities rot and mold; 
And let the wreckage lie 

Where mighty storms hath rolled. 
But clouds would turn to silver 

Where sunbeams penetrate — 
If you were only mine 

To make my life sedate. 

The birds are making music 

In the bending trees — 
And singing to each other 

In perfect notes of ease; 
And methinks the songsters 

In the trees above — 
Are singing to each other 

In the realm of love. 

The sun is peeping thru 
The crimson painted East — 

And the thirsty flowers 
Have a dewy feast; 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 37 

But sweeter than the flowers 

And purer than the dew — 
And prettier than the birds 

Are my thoughts of you. 

At the early dawning 

When the shadows broke — 
The music of the birds 

My sleepy soul awoke; 
And in my morning ramble 

Across the dewy ridge 
My thoughts are of thee 

While resting on the bridge. 

Sitting here in solitude 

Above the silver brink, 
I see the cattle from the hill 

Come to take a drink; 
And methinks that life's a book of dreams 

From frontis page to cover — 
To the man who claims 

One true maiden lover. 

While sitting by the waters 

My thoughts are clinging fast — 
To the day I met you 

And the golden past; 
And methinks that life 

Would be sweet and fine — 
If I, dear heart, were yours 

And you were only mine. 



I WOULD WIN THY LOVE. 

I would hinder not the song 

Of a singing bird — 
Nor would I try to stop 

A single kindly word. 
I'd imprison not a sparrow 

Nor crush a garden rose — 
Nor cast a slinder shadow 

Where truth-light glows. 



^S Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

If every star were mine 

I'd leave them far above — 
To light the darkened earth 

As emblems of my love. 
I'd banish not one smile 

From the human face — 
Nor rob a maiden 

Of one gem of grace. 

If I owned the sea 

And its every pearl — 
I'd exchange all 

For one little girl. 
And the prize I'd seek 

In exchange of my wealth — 
Would be only you — 

A charming fairy elf. 

I would not imprison 

God's free-born things — 
Nor yoke in bondage, 

With straps or cruel strings. 
But I'd fight the foes 

That keep our lives apart — 
To only win thy love 

And mate my longing heart. 



IF I WERE A SUNBEAM. 

If I were a sunbeam 

I'd shine and shine and shine. 
Till 'twould be no shadows 

In that heart of thine. 

I'd shine and smile from heaven 
To keep the dark clouds under. 

Till every other sunbeam 
Would look with awe and wonder. 

I'd go to darkened places 

Where others do not go. 
And with golden sparkles 

I'd try to banish woe. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 39 

Unlike far-off planets 

Beyond the gleaming ken, 
I'd shine in lowly places 

Among the sons of men. 

I'd shine in every valley 

With light their hearts to fill, 
I'd shine in every corner. 

On every plain and hill. 

If I were a sunbeam 

With brilliance great and wide. 
To visit dark-room hovels. 

Would be my mission's pride. 

For in the crowded places. 

Among the city's slum, 
There are many quarters 

Where sunbeams do not come. 

But while I'm not a sunbeam, 

I am a living star; 
And with the light of heaven 

I'll shine where shadows are. 



THOUGHTS OF LOVE UPON THE WATERS. 

To-night, I'm on the waters 

But my thoughts are far away — 
With my absent sweetheart 

Where they visit every day. 
I look upon the wavelets 

Thru the misty haze — 
And cherish sweet memories 

Of happy bye-gone days. 

I like to think of "lover's lane" 

Where angels seemed to hover, — 
When I saw you last 

And pledged to be your lover. 
Your cheeks were like two roses 

That cluster on the vine, — 
And beautify my thoughts 

Which pens cannot define. 



40 Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 

Since that happy meeting 

I've thought of others less, — 
And to-night upon the waters 

I cannot my thoughts express. 
But Love will tell the meaning 

Of every simple line — 
That here my pen shall write 

From this true heart of mine. 



\' 



The waves are rolling softly 

O'er the foaming deep, — 
And the men around me 

Are resting in their sleep. 
But I'm awake and lonely 

With thoughts of thee — 
While the ship is gliding 

O'er the trackless sea. 

Words tell not the feeling 

Of my longing heart; 
For only Love can answer 

Since we're far apart. 
The moon is softly gleaming 

Thru the window pane — 
And wavelets try to whisper 

But their efforts are in vain. 



The ship's light is beaming 

Upon the heaving tide — 
While my heart is longing 

To have thee by my side. 
The soft and yellow moonbeams 

Make the wavelets pale, — 
And they seem to try 

To shun the rising gale. 

Now I close my sleepy eyes 

And hope this vessel goes — 
To a safely landing 

While I'm in sweet repose. 
And should cruel fate 

Prevent my ship's return — 
Say not: "he's lost at sea" 

But in Love's lonely yearn. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 41 

THE GREATEST BLESSING. 

Heaven hath blessings to bestow. 

The cloud its rain and dew. 
But earth and heaven cannot give 

A blessing such as you. 

Earth hath gifts to give, 

The sky its gold and blue. 
But earth and sky cannot give 

A blessing such as you. 

Life hath its prizes 

For those who win the race; 
But the honor badge of all 

Is your smiling face. 

The world hath its joys 

Of wealth, friends and glee; 
But greater than all of these 

Dear, thou art to me. 



LOVE. 



A gem, a living flower, 

A jewel from above, 
Sunshine in a darken hour, 

This is surely love. 

A kindly word that's spoken 
From a loving breast, 

To heal a heart that's broken- 
This is love at test. 

To catch the weeping tear 
Shed in pain and grief, 

To banish pain and fear, 
This is love's relief. 

A laugh, a kindly look, 
And consoling speech, 

A book within a book; 
This is love's beseech. 



42 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

Love grows strong in sorrow 
And sings to soothe the pain, 

Waits not till the morrow, 
This is love's refrain. 

To banish sin and sadness, 

To lift the heavy load, 
To bring joy and gladness; 

O, this is love's sweet road. 



THE GIRL WE LIKE. 

The girl who is sunny 

And not "crazy" for money. 

A lover of music and art. 

The possessor of a queenly heart. 

The girl that don't paint 

And pretend what she "ain't;" 

Whose conscience is light 

And stands for the right. 

One kind to foes and friends, 

Ready for error to make amends. 

The girl who sings at request 

To entertain the guest; 

And who is free from pout 

With her lips stuck out — 

Who believes in her home 

And gladdens its dome; 

And never grows sour 

In shadow's sad hour. 

To such a one we surrender the pike 

For she is the girl that we like. 



LOVE'S SUNSET. 

Two lovers sat in solitude 

Where fragrant flowers grew — 
To gather sweet magnolias 

And woo and woo and woo. 
The bees sucked the flowers 

While fragrance filled the air — 
And the springtime breezes 

Caressed her golden hair. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 43 

The dew had kissed the flowers 

And sunbeams drank the dew — 
Where the youthful lovers 

Came to woo and woo. 
While the golden sunset 

Illumed the western sky — 
Each lover pledged the other 

Before they said "goodbye." 

"To-night I shall leave thee 

But here's my faithful pledge:" 
Said the gallant lover 

By the water's edge. 
"Each day when the sunset 

Illumes the distant West — 
I'll look at same and think 

Of the one I love the best." 

*T, too, shall think of thee 

At the selfsame hour" — 
Said the pretty maiden 

As she plucked a flower. 
And soon her lover 

Wore the uniform 

Of a gallant soldier 

Thru battle, calm and storm. 

And each time the sunset 

Closed the busy day — 
A soldier and his sweetheart 

Were many miles away; 
And each became accustomed 

To thus engage in thought — 
And their school of loving 

Was launched and daily taught. 

When cruel war was over 

The lover claimed his bride; 
And now they view the sunset 

While standing side by side. 
Their hair has changed to silver, 

Youth has faded like a flower; 
But their hearts grow younger 

To watch the sunset hour. 



44 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

THE BANQUET OF THE BEES. 

The flowers gave a banquet 

In reception of the bees; 
The birds were invited 

To assemble in the trees. 
All Nature was invited 

To drop their work and come — 
And everything quite feasted 

While the bees were on the hum. 

The orchard wore a pretty dress 

Of scarlet, pink and green; 
'Twas the gayest party 

The bees had ever seen. 
The blossoms gave the fragrance 

And the peach tree gave the gum; 
The breezes played the music 

While the bees were on the hum. 

The birdies did the singing 

And hopped around in grace; 
The bees did the humming 

And the bullfrog played the base. 
The bees waltzed the flowers 

And I just declare ! 
The bees kissed the blossoms 

And the flowers didn't care. 

The branches danced together 

To the music of the breeze; 
And the honeysuckles 

Hugged the dancing trees. 
'Twas a dandy party 

In a gladsome rush — 
Where the kissing and the hugging 

Were had without a blush. 

The waves within the brooklet 

O'er each other rolled — 
And helped to make the music 

Where the fishes trolled. 
The fishes and the tadpoles 

Courted in the tide — 
And gayly rode the wavelets 

And wiggled side by side. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 45 

The pretty robin redbreast 

Flirted with the jay, — _ 
And the bees were humming 

And everything was gay. 
A "flippy" little blue-bird 

Winked at another's mate — 
While the evening hours 

Were growing dim and late. 

The leaves were green with envy 

As they danced each other 'round; 
And one got so jealous 

That it tumbled to the ground. 
And the leaf that tumbled 

Said,"the party's on the bum;" 
While the others were in laughter 

And the bees were on the hum. 

The stars were dimly shining 

Around the yellow moon; 
And the bees will long remember 

This happy night in June: 
For they all were dizzy 

And feelin' very funny — 
And at the hour of midnight 

Were "dead drunk" on honey. 

Everything "was drinking" 

Of the evening dew; 
And the "lady blossoms" 

Were feelin' funny too. 
The moon became ashamed 

And made the shadows deep; 
While the whole creation 

Got drunk and went to sleep. 



V 



TO MY SWEETHEART. 

To-night, my absent darling, 

My thoughts cling about you; 
And methinks that Hfe 

Is incomplete without you. V 

Come to me, my darling, ^ 

Ere I die of sorrows; 
Yesterdays are lost — 

But you're my glad to-morrows. 



46 Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 

In day-dreams, my darling, 

My heart is ever yearning; 
My soul is flaming ever; 

The love-light is burning. 
The world is an Eden 

When of thee I'm dreaming — 
While the evening stars 

Around me are gleaming. 

Earth to me is heaven, 

For thou art my treasure; 
And my love for thee 

Excels any measure. 
Thy smiles are of heaven 

Child-like and simple — 
That play like sunbeams 

O'er each rosy dimple. 

Come to me, my darling, 
That love may caress you; 

Come to my arms. 
Longing now to press you. 

In all my dreams, dearest, 
My eyes behold you; 

Then come to my bosom 
^ Where love will ever fold you. 

Come to inspire me 

And gladden my time ; 
Come to sleep and dream 

In my every rhyme. 
Come, for thy absence 

Makes my heart most dreary; 
Come my human sunshine, 

And I'll grow never weary. 

Darling, you have wept 

When you saw me weeping; 
And dear, I want you 

In my humble keeping. 
Come as you are, dear, 

Oh, come not slowly; 
Come as dew from heaven 

Pure, sweet and holy. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 47 

I'll weep with you, dear, 

With tears when you cry; 
I'll live to make you happy 

With tears when you sigh. 
Come to me, my darling. 

Come our lives to gladden; 
For if we stay apart 

Our hearts will pine and sadden. 



A BOY'S TROUBLES. 

They say a boy's a "wonder," 

That girls alone are sweet, — 
And 'tis only natural 

For a boy to have big feet. 
And it matters not 

If he doesn't wear his hat, — 
That freckles make no difference 

And "such-a-likes as that." 



When I'm not hungry 

My "mommy" makes me eat, — 
And most every night 

She makes me wash my feet. 
And when I return 

From where I fed the stock— 
*Tis "sonny, go to bed ; 

'Tis nearly eight o'clock.'* 

Then I lie awake 

And wish I had a gun — 
To chase the enemies 

Of happy boyhood fun. 
And when I'm good asleep 

I hear a mighty knock! 
'Tis morninof, and they say, 

"Get up! 'tis five o'clock." 



48 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

A BRIDE'S BROKEN HEART. 

To-night a year ago 

I stood by his side — 
In our village church 

As a happy bride. 
But death's dark angel 

Robbed me of the prize — 
Of a happy life 

And closed his lovely eyes. 

Many are the evenings 

When others are asleep — 
I see him in my vison 

And only wake to weep. 
And in this life of longing 

Amid a lover's care — 
I flee to the Savior 

For aid in secret prayer. 



TAKE YOUR LETTERS BACK. 

lYou ask me for your letters 

But, dear, they are my own; 
And my spark of friendship 

Into love hath grown. 
Thy letters made me happy 

And were my "daily bread"; 
For in thee I trusted 

And believed each word you said. 

But let me read them o'er again 

And press them to my heart; 
Ere the treasures vanish — 

And from their owner part. 
Once my sky was fair and blue, 

But now has turned to black; 
So with a lover's broken heart 

I send the letters back. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 49 

The sweet confiding story 

Which these letters told — 
Made my life a song 

Till your heart grew cold. 
You'll find a lover's tears 

In the box I pack — 
Which contain your letters 

For I must send them back. 

We wandered by the ocean 

And saw the steamers pass ; 
But those happy moments 

Are shadows o'er a glass. 
With peaceful sleep and happy dream 

My hope felt safe and sure — 
That our mutual love 

Would blossom and endure. 

My heart was light and happy 

And woe, it never tasted; 
But alas ! its love 

On thee is wasted. 
My tears are in the letters 

Which you so harshly take; 
But still I love thee 

For old time's sake. 

I send them with my broken hopes; 

But for thy love I lack — 
I'd still be happy ; 

But take your letters back. 
My heart is sad and bleeding 

And broken in its track; 
But as your love is ended, 

I send the letters back. 



A POET'S FIELD. 

The earth and every planet 

Afloat in upper space — 
Is the poet's field 

And heaven's land of grace. 
"The cattle on a thousand hills," 

The streams of every lea — 
The sun, moon and stars 

And mountain, vale and sea. 



50 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

The truest heart can always find 

Some truth amidst the fiction; 
For you cannot bind a poet's thought 

With chains of restriction. 
A poet's thought may kiss the sky 

Where his heart is leaning — 
And tho' it be a fairy tale 

The true may catch its meaning. 



THE LONESOME PINE. 

Away from town and city 

Amid the lonesome pine — 
1 ramble in the southland 

Where Nature is Divine. 
And a lover's thrill 

Inspires a poet's pen — 
While the southern breeze 

Sweeps the wooded glen. 

The waving pines 

That kiss the sky — 
Sometimes sing 

And sometimes cry. 
Alike in winter 

And balmy spring — 
The pine trees sigh 

And laugh and sing. 

My heart is filled 

To hear them cry; 
And my soul 

Reflects their sigh. 
Methinks that often 

The pine tree grieves — 
Because it has 

No shapely leaves. 

Now I pause 

In the sunny glade; 
The wind has hushed 

The cry it made. 
But the trees 

Again incline — 
While breezes sweep 

The lonesome pine. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 51 

A moment's pause 

And on it went; 
Sighing ever ! 

While discontent. 
The lonesome pine 

And breezes represent 
The pining of a heart 

That never is content. 



The balmy breezes 

That kiss my brow- 
Rise to greet 

The flowerless bough; 
And there they sing 

Where laws confine 
Them to the heart 

Of the lonesome pine. 

When I'm tired 

I like to sit 
Beneath the pine 

And thoughts commit. 
The poet's place 

That God assigns 
Is in the trail 

Of the lonesome pines. 

Then I arise 

In the shadowed gloam- 
And ramble near 

A cottage home. 
For in the door 

Beneath the vine — 
My sweetheart waits 

Amid the pine. 

And soon we sit 

Where breezes blow — 
Thru the pines 

In the afterglow. 
And stars and moon 

With splendor shine — 
In the trail 

Of the lonesome pine. 



52 poems of Truth, Love and Power 

The breezes and the peacock 

And the nightingale — 
Blend their voices rare 

Along the lonesome trail. 
And the honeysuckles 

That cluster in the vine — 
Make the breezes sweet 

A-singing in the pine. 

Stay, oh time, forever! 

Let me rest and dine 
In the land of love 

Amid the singing pine. 
Long as love is life 

I will'Tiot resign — 
My tours of the South 

Amid the lonesome pine. 



A BOY'S JOB. 

To-day I'm "sorty" angry 

So please excuse my sob, 
For I ain't a-workin' 

But I've an awful job. 
The boys went to the river 

And I had to "sorty" cry, — 
For I've got to rock the baby 

And that's the reason why. 

I'd rather hoe potatoes 

Than to fan the flies; 
For there ain't no fun 

When a baby cries. 
And my eyelids 

Are heavy as a cob — 
For to rock the baby 

Is an awful job. 

Grandpa whiddles on his cane 

And's got no work to do, — 
Except to whet his knife 

On the sole of his shoe ; 
And he could rock the baby 

And make it stop its cry — 
But ma says "he's old" 

And that's the reason why. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 53 

Johnnie Brown said I could go 

To the riverside with him — 
And that he would teach me 

How to dive and swim. 
But I've got to sing the song 

Of "rocky-baby-by" — 
And this awful job 

Sorty makes me sigh. 

I try to walk on "tip toes" 

And cut my capers shy — 
But my little baby brother 

Wakes up and goes to cry. 
And I think it's awful 

To a fellow's pleasure rob, — 
And make him rock the cradle, 

For its' an awful job. 

If I was big as Johnnie Brown 

I wouldn't rock it any more; 
For he's too big to whip 

And goes bouncing out the door. 
And when I'm a man 

If folks beg and try — 
To have me rock their baby 

I'll soak 'em in the eye. 



LOVE'S SONG OF THE WIND. ^ 

The singing wind that whistles 

In the chimney flue — 
Sighs because I'm lonely 

And seems to speak of you. 
And inspires a poem 

That a lover's hand may write 
Of his absent dreamer 

This dark and dreary night. 

Methinks I see thy form 

In the glowing coals — 
While a tiny blaze 

Around the fireplace rolls. 
And the evening breezes 

Seem to sing of thee — 
And try to bring contentment 

Which can never be. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

The wind sways the treetops 

To rock the birds to sleep, — 
And sings of yesterday 

And nearly makes me weep. 
Yet there is a gladness 

In its singing noise; 
For it sings of thee 

And tells of future joys. 

The wind is a wordless song — 

A song without a note; 
The wind is a singing bird — 

A bird without a throat. 
The wind is an instrument — 

Yet without a key; 
But with song and music 

Which seems to sing of thee. 

It moves on sightless wings 

And played upon the sea — 
When the lowly Christ 

Said: "Fear not! 'tis me." 
Perhaps 'tis the same wind 

That sighed in ancient days — 
Wich seems to sing of you 

While to-night it plays. 

It seems to speak of lovers 

When gloomy shadows cast — 
A melancholy thought 

O'er the misty past. 
From whence it came and where it goes 

We cannot translate; 
But its gentle music 

Speaks of life and fate. 

It brings relief in Summer 

From excessive heat; 
It waves the flower gardens 

And fields of golden wheat. 
But its sweetest notes 

Are in the chimney flue — 
While speaking of the past 

And hoping for the new. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 55 

It brings me sweetest fragrance 

From the blooming lea — 
And sings its pretty song 

In every waving tree. 
It bears me gentle thoughts — 

Thoughts of love redeeming; 
For it sings of thee 

In my fondest dreaming. 



A POET'S BOYHOOD 
vs. 
HIS MANHOOD. 

I wore old rags and ravelled seams, 
I "sailed the seas" on baby streams, 
I "stumped my toes" and had my cries, 
I "fought in war" with bees and flies, 
My dreams were full of wonderwise — 
And kissed the lining of the skies. 

I often dreamt of things-to-be, 
And many times I "crossed the sea" — 
In the branch below the hill — 
With the boys who called me Bill; 
And I often had the sighs — 
'Cause I had no cuffs and tics. 

Now I ride in Pulman cars — 

And write about the moon and stars. 

I ride no more on billy goats — 

But cross the seas in parlor boats; 

And dreams which wouldn't bring a dime- 

Now sell in books as dreamy rhyme. 

I ride in castles of the air — 

And let my readers pay the fare. 

I sell rainbows of cloudy weather — 

To buy silk hose and patent leather. 

I wear "broadcloth" instead of "seams" — 

And have the public buy my dreams* . 



56 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

THOUGHTS OF YOU. 

When April showers 
Awake the flowers 
And fragrance strew 
I think of you. 

When sunbeams kiss 
In April bliss 
The morning dew 
I think of you. 

At setting sun 
And day is done 
My dreams renew 
My thoughts of you. 

When I'm alone 
And birds have flown 
There's naught to do 
But think of you. 

There's no strife 
To sadden life 
With painful rue 
In thoughts of you. 

The birds that sing 
In sunny Spring 
And doves that coo 
Bring thoughts of you. 

The greatest joys 
Of youthful coys 
I ever knew 
Bring thoughts of you. 

The birds that pass 
My window glass 
Leave with me 
Sweet thoughts of thee. 

And the birds 
With loving words 
As they flew 
Chirped of you. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 57 

A thousand times 
In song and rhymes 
On land or sea 
I think of thee. 

And every creed 
And word and deed 
That's good and true 
Brings thoughts of you. 



THE RAINY DAY. 

The clouds are dark and heavy 

While I'm in my room; 
And we need the rain 

To make the flowers bloom. 
And methinks that Life 

Requires some cloud and pain- 
Surely as the flowers 

Need the dew and rain. 

The sun has hid its face 

And the clouds survey — 
The world from east to west 

To make the rainy day. 
And God who knows the need 

Of every blade and grain — 
Sends his greeting down 

In the pour of rain. 

And I sit and watch 

The rolling drops of rain — 
Chasing one another 

Down the window pane. 
And the choicest time 

To write, sing and pray — 
Is in our sheltered home 

On the rainy day. 

If your daily work 
Is in the field or lane — 

Pine not ! my friend, 
When you have the rain. 



58 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

The choicest times to read, 
To meditate and play — 

Are the golden hours 
Of the rainy day. 

In these golden hours 

Let us feed the brain ; 
And welcome every cloud 

With its pour of rain. 
And a blessing sweet 

Shall the clouds convey — 
If we gladly greet 

Each coming rainy day. 



A POET'S DREAM. 

Twilight kissed the drowsy world 
From earth to heaven's height — 

And every bird had tucked its head 
In slumbers of the night. 

The laughing stream and sighing wind 
Sang the world to sleep — 

While the moon in yellow rays 
Lit up the mountain steep. 

I told my poetry to the moon 
And wrote it in the cloud — 

While my sweetheart's name 
I softly spoke aloud. 

I wrote her name in the blue 

Of heaven's distant sky — 
And paused a moment just to hear 

Her gentle, soft reply. 

I paused again, and the waves 

Sounded from the rill — 
In a laughing glee 

Just below the hill. 

They seemed to whisper in my ear: 
"Thy girl is well to-night" — 

And I smiled and wrote again 
Her name in wisdom's light. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 59 

I saw the banks of silver clouds 

O'er each other float — 
As I thought of she 

Of whom I calmly wrote. 

But the clouds came sweeping by 

And did her name erase — 
And left a trackless path 

In heaven's mighty space. 

"Such is a poet's dream," said I, 

And to the bordered lea — 
I went and wrote her name 

By the quivering, gurgling sea. 

I felt the breezes kiss my cheek 

Fresh from the rising tide — 
And wrote her name again 

With a poet's pride. 

Bordering her name, I marked the spot 

On the bosom of the sand — 
And recorded another thought 

By the stroke of a poet's hand. 

But the waves begin to frolic 

Like children sweet, at play — 
And in another moment 

Her name was swept away. 

I vowed to write her name no more 

Above the earth on high — 
To be erased by cruel clouds 

In the dim of misty sky. 

Neither shall I write again 

Upon uncertain sands — 
For the waters of the sea 

To pluck with cruel hands. 

Her name is written now 

Across a poet's heart — 
Where neither wave nor cloud 

Can sever it apart. 



6o Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

THE PATH OF DOUBT. 

There is a thorny pathway 

That makes my soul afraid — 
To travel in its shadows 

Where sinful men have strayed; 
A path where the flowers 

By weeds are crowded out — 
Along the sea of trouble 

And its name is Doubt. 

There is a dark, sad valley 

That's black with human wrath— 

Where sin's awful shadows 
Benight a fatal path. 

And its weary travelers 

Must live and die without — 

Eternal joys of heaven 
And this dark path is Doubt. 



SHE'S ALL THE WORLD TO ME. 

Of all the population 

Of this revolving ball — 
There's one whose face is sweeter 

And fairer than them all; 
And this charming maiden 

Is my bride-to-be; 
For of all creation 

She's all the world to me. 

I prefer a mansion 

Of brustle, peace and ease — 
All in style and order 

And everything to please; 
But I'd be happy 

In a cottage beneath a tree — 
If that were her pleasure. 

For she's all the world to me. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 6i 

I'd like to tour the world 

In safety, joy and speed, 
With her by my side 

And have my plans succeed ; 
But if she preferred to stay at home 

I'd be there at her knee — 
For there, would be my joy, 

For she's all the world to me. 

If on western plains 

In a hut built of mud — 
Void of art and luxury 

But where flowers grow and bud, 
I'd be happy still 

To drink with her the tea — 
From a clothless table 

For she's all the world to me. 

With her to love and cheer me 

Rainbows would never fade; 
For the prettiest rainbow 

Would be her golden braid — 
Which adorns her hair 

Like blossoms of the lea; 
For of God's creation 

She's all the world to me. 

I'd ever be her bridegroom. 

Yea, would be her slave — 
And cherish her forever ! 

For she is all I crave. 
And with a poet's love 

Which is deeper than the sea — 
I would crown the one 

Who's all the world to me. 

And with an author's soul 

My faith would fain ascend; 
Or at the point of bayonet 

I would her love defend — 
In a bloody duel 

To set her conscience free; 
For she is all my hope 

And all the world to me. 



62 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

I'll welcome her with open arms, 

I'll wake her with a kiss, 
I'll prove to her a poet's love, 

I'll show her sweetest bliss, 
I'll cheer her on rainy days 

When cloud and shadows seem — 
I'll praise her in my daily talk 

And love her in my dream. 

I'll walk with her in shady dells, 

I'll place flowers on her breast; 
When weary of the wildwood song 

I'll sit with her and rest. 
I'll look into her pretty eyes 

And write poems of their hue — 
Tho' silver hair adorn her brow 

Or her days be short and few. 

I'll put my arm around her waist 

And kiss away her tears; 
I'll shield her from hurt and harm 

And want and woe and fears. 
I'll make her my maiden queen — 

This precious bride-to-be ; 
For no matter who she is, 

She's all the world to me. 



EASTER. 

Open all ye buds 

And longer not imprison 
The blossom in thy fold; 

For Christ the Lord is risen. 

Blow ye breezes of the South! 

Kiss each fragrant bloom; 
And sing ye holy angels 

That rolled away His tomb. 

Each blade of grass and flower 
The Winter's arrows slew — 

Are a-throb with life 
To live and grow anew. 

Sleep ye dreamless forms! 

Till thy grave shall ope; 
For the risen Christ 

Is our star of hope. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 63 

THE COTTAGE BY THE SEA. 

There lived a happy maiden 

Whose age was near sixteen — 
In a vine-clad cottage 

That nestled on the green. 
Her cheeks were living roses ; 

And a maiden such as she — 
Might well be called a fairy 

In the cottage by the sea. 

Her hair was long and golden ; 

Her hands were fair and slender; 
Her eyes were brown and dreamy 

And her heart was tender. 
She was a part of nature 

And her life was free — 
To gather shells and flowers 

By the rolling sea. 

She could wash the dishes 

And help her mother sweep ; 
She would never tattle 

And could a secret keep. 
Her soul was a poem 

Full of adoration; 
And her life was such 

As make the home and nation. 

Her lover was a sailor; 

And sailors such as he — 
Make our noble navy 

The finest on the sea. 
His vessel passed the cottage 

On its usual run — 
Twice a week in summer 

At setting of the sun. 

Her lover was the captain 

And a gallant man; 
And wrote the girl a letter 

Sealed within a can. 
And threw it in the wavelets 

To carry it to the lea — 
Where his sweetheart waited 

By the laughing sea. 



64 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

It spoke of love and promise 

This letter in the can — 
Of a happy future 

And a cunning plan : 
It named the wedding date 

And the place would be — 
In her cozy parlor, 

The cottage by the sea. 

The maiden wandered daily 

By the singing shore — 
And sweetly thought of days 

When she would wander more. 
And they would stroll together 

Along the heaving tide — 
When he would be a groom 

And she would be a bride. 

But the cruel storm 

Wrecked the sailor's ship; 
And he never more 

Took the happy trip. 
The maiden stood and waited 

And thought his vessel late; 
And prayed that it would come 

With its human freight. 

The setting of the sun 

Seemed to pull a scroll — 
O'er her happy life 

And poetic soul. 
Holy love had blossomed ; 

He had made a vow; 
A kiss had sealed the promise 

On the maiden's brow. 

And the raging waves 

On which the vessels rode — 
Seemed to sing of fate 

In a tearful ode. 
And the gallant lover 

Whom the maid adores — 
Somewhere was in the gale 

Away from help and shores, 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 65 

The red rose had withered; 

But once it blossomed fair — 
Where the lover-sailor 

Placed it in her hair. 
Ske ceased to gather flowers, 

The days would slowly flee; 
And a life was saddened 

In the cottage by the sea. 

Her cheeks had lost the roses 

Which were ever blushing; 
And her sailor's fate 

Her heart was crushing. 
She said in bitter sobs: 

"This pain is killing me;'* 
While kneeling in her room — 

The cottage by the sea. 

One night while she was praying 

She heard a voice exclaim — 
"Oh! come my pretty lassie". 

While he called her name. 
And in the open door 

Stood the sailor lad — 
There with open arms 

To make the maiden glad. 

Then the prayerful maiden 

With a thousand charms — 
Springing to her feet 

Fell into his arms. 
Love had claimed its own. 

Two hearts were light as glee; 
And now a vine-clad heaven 

Is the cottage by the sea. 



MOTHER, THE QUEEN OF HOME. 

Mother, O mother, thou art a queen ! 

Indeed a queen upon thy throne; 
Thou knowest the sweetness of dimpled cheeks 

Of babyhood— its image thine own. 



(>6 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

Father may love and toil and care 

But it's a father's love alone; 
Indeed not like the gentle queen 

Upon her olden throne. 

With suffering, pain and sleepless nights 
Mother stays upon the throne — 

Where every cry is heard 
And every painful moan. 

Who hears the baby's cooing voice 
And prays for them that roam? 

Who hears sweet childhood's laugh? 
'Tis mother, the queen of home. 



WHERE EARTH AND HEAVEN MEET. 

Heaven stoops to kiss the earth 

At the lover's feet; 
And in the dell of Love 

Earth and heaven meet. 

The skies descend to greet the place 
Where love makes living sweet; 

And the birds are glad 

Where earth and heaven meet. 

Stars smile upon the dell 
When lovers fair, repeat — 

Lover's olden story 

Where earth and heaven meet. 

Greater than the hero 

Who captures foe and fleet — 

Is the pleading lover 

Where earth and heaven meet. 

Flowers bloom for lovers 
That "he" or "she" may greet — 

The other with a rose 

Where earth and heaven meet. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 67 



Clouds turn to rainbows 

Above the city street— 
Or in the^ dell of Nature 

Where earth and heaven meet. 

When love is true and skies are blue 
And the queen of home is neat — 

Angels hover close around 
Where earth and heaven meet. 

When love unites two hearts 

And waves of strife retreat- 
In a happy home 
There earth and heaven meet. 

Where mutual love abides 
Tho' storms of trouble beat, — 

No matter where the place — 
Earth and heaven meet. 



A POET'S THOUGHTS OF LOVE. 

I wandered by the river 

And saw the waves that swam — 
Across the sleepy pool 

In pairs, above the dam. 

I sat beneath the willows 
Within the blooming lot— 

And watched the water lilies 
And blue forget-me-not. 

I saw the little fishes 
Each other fondly kiss— 

And as they're only fishes 
I thought it not amiss. 

I saw the gentle wavelets 
O'er each other swell — 

And wondered if the fishes 
In love, there did dwell. 



68 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

Do not all the fishes 
And every mated dove — 

Claim each other sweethearts 
In the realm of love? 

God gave to this planet 
The birds, our lives to bless — 

And oftentimes methinks 
I see the birds caress. 

Sometimes methinks each kind 
Of every living breed — 

Knows the law of love 
Supremest of their creed. 

O, sweetest law of love! 

Thou art a silver wire — 
That binds our hearts together 

Amid love's burning fire. 

God made the stars of heaven 
To twinkle in the night — 

And the golden sunbeams. 
To fill the day with light. 

But grander than the greatest 
And fairer than the fair — 

He made a blooming Eden 
And put two lovers there. 

He gave them fruit and flowers. 
The mocking bird and dove; 

But sweeter than the sweetest 
He gave them human love. 

And since that time immortal — 

Love has ever been — 
Among the lads and maidens 

Of every human kin. 

I do not know the reason, 
Nor can I tell you why — 

But love's the fairest blossom 
That grows in heaven's sky. 



Poems of Truth, Loze and Power 69 



LIFE. 

A pinch of poverty 
And a peck of trouble, 
A lea of weeds 
And a field of stubble, 
A pillow for rest 
And a place to sleep, 
A cause to sigh 
And a place to weep; 

And this is life. 

A ray of hope 
And a silver lining, 
A cloud of black 
And then repining, 
A gulley to cross 
With hope to step it, 
A desire to marry 
And yet can't help it; 

And this is life. 

A dollar to get 

And a score to snatch it. 

An itching heart 

And naught can scratch it, 

A lesson to learn 

Of defeat behind us, 

Advice from friends 

To "just remind us"; 

And this is life. 

A "scheming plan" 
And the cheating habit, 
A hook of bait 
And a sucker to grab it, 
A quart of luck 
And then you spill it. 
An empty purse 
And air to fill it; 

And this is life. 

With a head of sense 
And few can use it, 
A winning plan 
And men refuse it, 



Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 

Cream and candy 

And girls to eat 'em, 

Plenty of friends 

With little to "treat 'em"; 

And this is life. 

A path to trod 

And feet to "beat it," 

A bill to pay 

And a sigh to meet it, 

A good old time 

And a world of laughter, 

A heaven to gain 

Or hell hereafter; 

And this is life. 

A world of envy 
And a race of style, 
A bit of joy 
And a fleeting smile, 
A law to reap 
The harvest sown, 
A God to hear 
The sinner's groan; 

And this is life. 

A kiss to cheer 
And then a blow, 
A pint of hope 
And a pound of woe, 
A word of greeting 
And then farewell, 
A song to sing 
And a love to tell; 

And this is life. 

A word of scorn 
And then commended, 
Treatment ill 
And then befriended. 
Life's a game 
That all must lose — 
But heaven's left 
For us to choose; 

And this is life. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 71 

LOVE'S PRAYER. 

« 'Twas evening, and two lovers 

Were parted far away; 
But their thoughts would meet 

At the close of day. 
He thought of her at evening, 

She thought of him the same; 
In their nightly prayer 

Each called the other's name. 

I When the day is ended 

And one is all alone — 
Love will climb the mountain 

Without a step or tone; 
And in the dell of Solitude 

Beyond the distant plain — 
Hearts will meet and greet 

In the lover's lane. 

Love is a flower 

That earth and heaven cherish — 
Shedding sweetest fragrance 

That distance cannot perish. 
And love is the flower 

Of which we never tire; 
For its holy mission 

Is ever to inspire. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 

"Can't" and "Won't" are brothers, dear. 

And never win the purse — 
While Grandma "Grunt" is quite unwell. 

And always needs a nurse. 

Daddy "Wait" is the son of "Late" 
And always trusts to "Luck;" 

"Can" is the child of "Energy" 
And "Will" the son of "Pluck." 

"Can" is also the cousin 

Of good old Mr. "Try," 
And they kick the stuffin' out of "Can't" 

And black his lazy eye. 



J2 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

"Can't" is old man "Lazy's" son 
And both are strangers to "Work;" 

But each is well acquainted 
With Uncle Johnnie "Shirk." 

"Never Try" and "Can't" are twins, 
And "Defeat" is their mother; 

"To-morrow" is their father, 
"Tired" is their brother. 

In choosing your companions, dear, 
Take "Try" and "Will" and "Can" — 

For "Can't" and "Wait" and "Won't" 
Never made a man. 



TO MY VALENTINE. 

Ere the happy snow-birds 

Cease their winter play — 
We celebrate the sacred 

St. Valentine's Day; 
A day when lad and lassie 

Send each other greeting — 
Ere the winter day 

In twilight's dim is fleeting. 

The book of time is filling; 

Another leaf doth turn; 
Still we love and dream; 

Still we live and learn. 
And if I could not love 

I'd rather be a swine; 
But my life is happy 

With thee, sweet valentine. 

The tree that stands the pruning 

That it may bear the fruit — 
Was started in the ground 

A sprig, a tiny root. 
Likewise the tender love 

That fills this heart of mine — 
Has blossomed from a bud 

For thee, sweet valentine. 



'Poems of Truth, Love and Power 73 

The winter snow is drifting 

With flowers there among; 
And many pretty songs 

Are somewhere unsung. 
But the sparks of love 

That warm this heart of mine — 
Will bring the song and flowers 

To thee, sweet valentine. 

The singing birds have flown 

But their songs remain; 
And the music sweet 

Is never on the wane ; 
But only grows the sweeter 

In loving notes divine; 
For still thou art true 

Mine own sweet valentine. 

Winter's snowy arms 

Have wrapped the trees in white; 
And buds are sleeping there 

And dream of sunbeams bright. 
And while the winter wind 

Is singing thru the pine — 
My heart is singing, too, 

Of thee, sweet valentine. 



The bees that seek the flowers 

And of their honey thrive — 
Are waiting for the bloom 

And dreaming in the hive. 
The vines that leafless lie 

Will soon again entwine; 
And birds will sing therein 

For us, sweet valentine. 

In winter or in summer. 

In autumn or in spring, 
My life is ever happy; 

My heart will ever sing — 
Long as there is love 

In that heart of thine; 
Long as thou art happy 

Mine own sweet valetine. 



74 Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 

Life would be a nothing 

If there were no love ; 
And there would be no heaven 

To greet the soul above. 
Earth will ever blossom; 

The sun will ever shine; 
Long as thou art true 

Mine own sweet valentine. 



HERE'S TO THE BILLS! 

Dedicated to the Whole Bill Family. 

Here's to old Buffalo Bill ! 
From the rugged, wooded hill. 
Here's to Bill whose name is Taft — 
And Bill Nye who made us laugh. 
Here's to the one who was bent ! 
To run three times for president. 
Here's to a thousand other bills! 
Adding to our joys or ills. 
Here's to the doctor bills! 
For sugar-coated pills. 
Here's to the green-back bills! 
That give us spending thrills. 

Here's to the drug store bills! 

That sell us tonic for the chills. 

Here's to bills of every nature — 

And those passed by the legislature. 

Here's to the bills for board and lodging— 

And those that keep our debtors dodging. 

Now just be still 

For here's a bill 

Clean and crisp and new — 

And the one that's overdue. 



HERE'S TO THE ONE. 

Here's to the noble-hearted 
Who's ever ready to give — 

To the worthy needy 

While yet they're spared to live. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 75 

Here's to the one whose hand 

Is ready to clasp your own — 
And make you realize 

You're not in trial alone. 

Here's to the one whose clasp 

Is like a grip of st^el — 
When you need a friend 

To make you better feel. 

Here's to the one whose smile 

Puts the clouds to rout — 
And brings cheer and hope 

To the "down and out." 

Here's to the man 

Whose "on the square" — 
Whose every act 

Is kind and fair. 



A MOTHER'S LOVE. 

There was an angel-poet 

Whom the angels sent to earth- 
To find a double trio 

Of the greatest things of worth. 
And the angel started 

From heaven's land of light — 
And over sea and planet 

He winged a rapid flight. 

He sailed o'er dale and mountain 

And sea and lake and dell — 
To find the sweetest things of earth 

Their beauty to the angels tell. 
And first to catch his notice 

Was a flower garden-spot — 
Where lily, rose and violet 

Composed a blooming lot. 



"^6 Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 

And gently he descended 

Optimistic in his luck — 
And walked amid the flowers 

The choice of each to pluck. 
"Oh! this will please the angels: 

A freshly blooming bower — 
For what is there of earth 

Superior to a flower?" 

And while he held the flowers 

Close to his breast — 
He saw a mother robin 

Hovering o'er her nest: 
And her mate was singing 

A carol from the tree — 
"And oh!" said the angel, 

"That's good enough for me." 

And while the mated songsters 

Guarded well the nest — 
He looked and saw the sunset 

Illume the golden West. 
And next he saw the rainbow 

Emblazoned on the cloud — 
While his eager praises 

Were emphasized aloud. 

And pausing on his journey 

Before a cottage door — 
He saw childhood's smile 

Of baby on the floor. 
And then he saw the mother's love 

As he kissed her darling''s head — 
And knew that it would last 

Till the mother-heart was dead. 

And with this double trio 

He start on his flight — 
To show them to the angels 

And soon was out of sight. 
And when he got to heaven 

He had to stop and wait — 
Till St. Peter came 

To unlock the golden gate. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver yy 

And thus, while he waited 

While his heart was glad — 
He looked to see what treasures 

That he actually had. 
And the flowers had withered. 

The mated birds had flown; 
The rainbow had faded 

And left him quite alone. 

And the baby's smile 

By the cottage door — 
Had gently passed away 

And could be seen no more. 
But the mother's love 

Which naught but death can sever — 
Was there in all its beauty 

To live and bloom forever. 



HEART BEATS OF LOVE. 

When the slumbering world's asleep 

In the hush of night — 
I see thee in my dreams 

Life an angel's face of light. 
When the breeze is sighing 

And moon and starlight wane— 
Thou art my pretty star 

Who in my slumbers reign. 

Ofttimes in my dreams 

I am a lover-king: 
And thy soul's my kingdom 

Beneath an angel's wing. 
Methinks when I'm lonely 

I hear the breezes cry ; 
And when I wake from sleep 

My soul to thee would fly. 

O, if dreams had wings 

To thee my soul would flee; 
For in nightly slumbers 

I often think of thee. 
Often hearts are broken 

And hopes are crucified ; 
But let me have thy love 

And I'll be satisfied. 



78 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

LOVE'S DECLARATION. 

I've traveled these United States 

From the western plain — 
To the farthest corner 

Of the billowed main. 
But the sweeest thing I've seen 

Of every living wonder — 
Is my blushing sweetheart ; 

And may naught our love asunder. 

Fairer than the sunset 

At the evening hour — 
Are thine own dear eyes 

Of penetrating power. 
Prettier than the violets 

Is my queenly maiden, — 
And sweeter than the roses 

Dew-kissed and honey-laden. 

In tours of foreign lands 

Under strange and misty skies — 
Ne'er do I expect to find 

Such a jeweled prize. 
I go, I bid the love's farewell 

But leave my heart with thee, — 
To keep while I'm away 

Across the swelling sea. 

And when thou art alone 

In thy cosy home — 
May thouest think of me 

Across the raging foam. 
For I will think of thee 

A thousand times or more — 
Till again we meet 

On America's shore. 

Duty calls me onward! 

To leave my girl behind; 
But never shall I meet 

Another one so kind : 
And never shall I try 

To find one more true, — 
For all my fondest hopes 

Dearest, are placed in you. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 79 

I THINK I THUNK A LIE. 

When I was but a little tot 

I thought I had no joy — 
Because I could not be a man 

Before I was a boy. 
I thought that a child's life was hard 

As the years were fleeting by — 
But thinking not as once I thunk, 

I think I thunk a lie. 

I thought that when I got to be 

A man as big as dad — 
That I would kick the stuffin' out 

Of every stubborn lad. 
I thought that I could never get 

Enough of pumpkin pie ; 
But thinking not as once I thunk, 

I think I thunk a lie. 

I use to think that Uncle John 

Was the biggest kind of fool — 
Because he would not go to bathe 

And miss a day in school. 
I thought 'twould be no harm 

To error on the sly; 
But thinking not as once I thunk, 

I think I thunk a lie. 

I thought that life for grown-up folks 

Possessed the kindest fate, 
And just to be a grown-up man 

Was noble, grand and great. 
I thought quite ill of father's plan 

"To persevere and try;" 
But thinking not as once I thunk, 

I think I thunk a lie. 

I thought that love was a silly thing 

Among the gifts of worth — 
And wondered how that one could think 

It the holiest thing of earth. 
But since I've gotten bigger 

I can only say, Oh, my! 
And thinking not as once I thunk, 

I think I thunk a lie. 



So Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

I used to think that all old maids 

Were mean as sore-tail cats; 
And that all the ladies 

Were quite afraid of rats. 
But since they wear them in their hair, 

And are not the least bit shy, 
I'm thinking not as once I thunk. 

For I think I thunk a lie. 

I used to think that every one 

Who claimed to be your friend 
In need would be a friend indeed 

With pocket change to lend; 
But now I am frank to say 

With a little frowning sigh, 
That thinking not as once I thunk, 

I think I thunk a lie. 

I used to think that I'd be rich 

If I had a cart and pony; 
And that all were happy 

Who join in matrimony; 
And that every marriage 

Pleased the God on high; 
But thinking not as once I thunk, 

I think I thunk a lie. 

I used to think the doctor 

Cured all human ills — 
With his learned wisdom 

And sugar-cooted pills; 
And that all the preachers 

Were angels and ought to fly ; 
But thinking not as once I thunk, 

I think I thunk a lie. 

I used to think that women 

Could keep a secret well — 
And that all the angels 

Couldn't make 'em tell. 
But bless their little tongues 

That almost lick the sky — 
For thinking not as once I thunk, 

I think I thunk a lie. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 8i 

I use to think that human life 

Knew but little care — 
And that the rich were happy 

In peace beyond compare; 
But in my observation 

With a watchful eye, 
And thinking not as once I thunk, 

I think I thunk a lie. 



I used to think that sister's beau 

Was foolish to stay so late — 
For 'twas often ten o'clock 

When he would slam the gate. 
I use to think it folly too, 

To want no others nigh — 
But thinking not as once I thunk, 

I think I thunk a lie, 

I use to ask my mamma, dear. 

If papa stole a kiss — 
When they were young and courting 

And all she said was this : 
"No, sir ! is my frank reply" — 
But thinking not as once I thunk 

I think she nearly told a lie. 

I use to think that all the girls 

Meant just what they said — 
And that their hearts were flesh 

Instead a chunk of lead. 
But be slow to believe the tale 

In walking thru the rye — 
For thinking not as once I thunk, 

I think I thunk a lie. 



I use to think a shapely form 

And a pretty face — 
Were a girl's greatest needs 

To give her winning grace; 
But as life is more 

To merely live and die — 
Thinking not as once I thunk, 

I think I thunk a lie. 



<S2 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

I use to think that human life 

Was easy to understand — 
And that its solution 

Was nigh at my command; 
And I thought that grown-up folks 

Could never weep or cry — 
But thinking not as once I thunk, 

I think I thunk a lie. 



HOUSE OR HOME. 

Man may build a house of brick. 
Or wooden walls and piers ; 

But only Love can build a Home 
To withstand the years. 

Abodes are many; homes are few 
Where Love is "meat and drink" 

And your house will be a home 
If you'll rightly do and think. 



LOVE'S DREAM. 

Thou art in all my nightly dreams 
And all my daily prayers ; 

Thou art all in this wide world 
That constitutes my cares. 

My love to thee is the ocean's depth 
And equal to heaven's height; 

Dearest, I think of thee by day 
And dream of thee by night. 

No pen can write my love for thee, 
Nor poet's tongue can tell ; 

Naught in this gladsome world 
But death can break its spell. 

I long to look into thine eyes 
And O, for one glad meeting! 

I'm sure the springtime wind 
Would pause to hear my greeting. 

Good night ! dearest, sweetest one, 
Of earth, thou art the cream; 

Slumber waits to rest my head 
But thou slialt reign my dream. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Pozvcr 83 

AUTUMN. 

The summer leaves come fluttering down 
In their coats of red and brown. 
The bloom of the flower's lost 
Beneath the killing frost. 
The birds will join in fluttering bands 
And seek the clime of southern lands. 
The brook within its ripples fold 
The fallen leaves o'er sands of gold. 

The corn is being gathered in — 
And stored away in winter's bin. 
The music of the autumn breeze — 
Sounds the notes from waving trees. 
The pumpkins on the withered vine — 
Lie amid the corn and shine; 
But will soon be in the pie 
Under winter's crimson sky. 

Now it's flour instead of wheat. 
And cooling breeze instead of heat 
The skies are like a milky white, 
And boys are flying well, their kite. 
O, beautiful days! of autumn time! 
The prettiest time of season's clime; 
Yet how sad the fallen leaf — 
And how a-kin to human grief. 



WHEN THE ANGELS LIGHT THE CANDLES 
IN THE SKY. 

I like to sit in dreams of hope 

Amid the clinging vines— 
Of my open window 

When the moonlight shines. 
And when the shadows thicken 

I worry not or sigh — 
For I'm happy when the angels 

Light the candles in the sky. 



84 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 



I like to see the lovers 

Courting while they march — 
Beneath the spreading maples 

Or a blooming arch. 
And the night-birds flutter 

And sing in passing by — 
For they're happy when the angels 

Light the candles in the sky. 

I like to see the mother 

Kiss her sleeping child — 
When the winter's wind 

Is blowing cool and wild. 
And her evening prayers 

Take wings and fly — 
To the happy angels 

Who light the candles in the sky. 



SELFISHNESS. 

There are friendly workers 
Upon the charity shelf — 

Who claim to work for others 
But chiefly work for self. 



A TOAST. 

Heaven smiles above us 
And all the nations love us; 
The earth blooms to greet us, 
The sun shines to heat us. 
The snow to cool us 
And the girls smile to fool us. 
Then let the world rejoice 
With gladness for its choice. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 85 

AUGUST. 

Here's to Au:just, O, how hot! 
In hammock, lawn or cot. 
But I shall grumble not 
If in some grassy lot 

There's lemonade 

Beneath the shade 
To touch the oroper spot. 



A POET'S HEART. 

A poet's heart was made to find 

The truth in fields of fiction — 
And tune the hearts to praise 

Which are in deep afi^liction. 
A poet's heart was made to beat 

In harmony and union — 
At the feet of Nature's God 

Where there's sweet communion. 

A poet's heart was made to feel 

The golden ties that bind — 
The human heart to Nature's breast 

Leaving woes behind. 
A poet's heart was made to sing 

When other hearts are pining — • 
And point the world on cloudy days 

To where the sun is shining. 

A poet's heart is a field 

That's fit for righteous sowing — 
In the lea of Solitude 

Where Nature's stream is flowing. 
A poet's heart was made to bleed 

When other hearts are broken; 
Responding to their need 

With Love's kindly token. 

A poet's heart was made to know 

The joy of freely giving — 
Where sweet contentment lies 

In the science of happy living. 
Then let my pen reflect 

The true and all Divine 
And show the doubting world 

The kin of Nature's heart and mine. 



86 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 



ONLY A ROSEBUD. 

Only a blushing rosebud! 

Holding its proud head up — 
Surrounded by forget-me-nots 

And the buttercup. 
The other roses withered 

In the summer day — 
But this lovely rosebud 

Beautified the way. 

Only a folded rosebud! 

But a mission to perform — 
Has every quivering sprig 

In this world of storm. 
"I'm discouraged," said the rosebud, 

"Because I'm left alone — 
And the other buds have blossomed, 

And a greater life hath known. 

But a gallant laddie 

Was strolling down the aisle — 
Of the blooming garden 

And thinking all the while: 
"I only want a rosebud 

For my darling lass," 
And he flashed his eyes 

Across the velvet grass. 

"If I had a rosebud 

I'd send it to the girl— 
Who is fond of roses 

To adorn her curl." 
And he searched the garden 

Where the flowers bent — 
To find the rosebud 

That love's message meant. 

"I'm only a lonely rosebud; 

But if some tender touch — 
Would pluck me from the sun 

My mission mieht be much. 
I cannot speak the language 

That he may understand — 
But I'll shed my fragrance 

To reach that lover's hand." 



poems of Truth, Love and Power 87 

Then its richest fragrance 

Floated in the breeze — 
And almost made the lover 

Stop to look and sneeze. 
But he spied the rosebud 

Blooming on its stem — 
Which of all the flowers 

Was the one for him. 

He sent the rosebud 

Dew-kissed as it grew 
To tell his blushing sweetheart 

The story old — anew. 
The maiden kissed the rosebud 

Into fullest bloom — 
And its rare fragrance 

Filled her airy room. 

Then the loving maiden 

Went to see her friend — 
Who was on her sick-bed 

Where life was near at end; 
Gave her the fragrant flower 

As a kindly token — 
But the girl was dying 

And a smile was the thanks spoken. 

"Fm only a little rosebud 

That grew into a flower — 
But Fve cheered two lovers 

And one in her dying hour. 
And now I am withering 

But am well content — 
For my life was useful, 

Being not misspent." 



GO AHEAD. 

Don't wait for opportunity, 
But go ahead and hustle; 

For the "Go" is good 

For either brain or muscle. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

Don't let your trousers 
Get holes upon the seat; 

Better wear the soles 
Off your lazy feet. 

Don't lag around at morning 
As a burden to the bed; 

But get the movin' spirit — 
Get up and go ahead. 



A POET'S DREAM OF LOVE. 

The magic of the wildwood 
With music soft and low — 

And "the still small voice" 
Are the sweetest songs I know. 

I sing them in the morning 
While walking in the lea — 

To unlock the door of heaven 
Which freely opens for me. 

I sing them in the evening 
And with their magic key — 

I lock the door of slumber 
Where rest is sweet and free. 

The music melts the winter 

Into days of spring — 
And when Tm lonely 

I sing and sing and sing. 

While the evening shadows 
Were growing slim and long — 

I sat by the seashore 
To sing my pretty song. 

The waters sang the chorus, 
The flowers bowed with joy; 

The birds and the breezes 
Were gladsome in their coy. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 89 

Then sitting by the waters 

Of the trackless deep — 
I sank to slumber 

And soon was fast asleep. 

I dreamt that on the waters 

Most beyond my sight — 
Were many tiny vessels 

Storm-tossed in the night. 

I saw the frightened captain 

And knew the sailor's fear — 
While the waves were dashing 

And no lifeboat was near. 

I named each tiny vessel 

And offered each a prayer — ■ 
To guide them safe to harbor 

Thru the Savior's care. 

I named one vessel friendship, 

I named another fame, 
I named another love. 

To each I gave a name. 

The mighty wind rose higher! 

And rolling waves would dash 
Against my pretty vessels 

Which caused a sudden crash ! 

Then nearly every anchor 

Was torn away and lost — 
While the ships were drifting 

Where mighty billows tossed. 

While yet in my vision 

Amid the stormy air — 
I prayed for each vessel 

But God heard not my prayer. 

O, God ! if all my vessels 

Upon the stormy sea — 
Should sink and be no more 

Do bring one back to me. 



OO Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

Then every ship went down ! 

Save one, which safely came 
To the harbor of safety 

And love was its name. 

O, matchless ship of love ! 

I claim, I welcome thee! 
Let all the others perish 

Upon the stormy sea. 



A MOTHER'S LOVE. 

Out of the bosom of the God above 
Is born the flower of a mother's love. 
It will follow her child to the prison cell, 
Or to the brink of a drunkard's hell. 
Friendship ties may break and sever 
But a mother's love will never. 



AROUND THE COTTAGE DOOR. 

There's music by the cottage door 

And frolic on the lawn; 
With the glee of children 

Begun with early dawn. 

There's joy around the cottage door 
When father comes to play — 

With the happy children 
At closing of the day. 

There's love around the cottage door; 

There's joy and peace and rest; 
Mother sings her babe to sleep 

Upon her loving breast. 

There's genius around the cottage door 
Where many a child was born — 

Whose name to-day on memory's page 
Stands free from shame and scorn. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 91 

'Tis home on the bare floor 

Where the honeysuckle steals 
Amid the fragrance it reveals 

Around the cottage door. 



ADVICE TO BOYS. 

Do not tread the background 

With the ones who shirk; 
For success, my boys, 

Is the twin to work. 
Push to the front, boys, 

In trials "thick or thin"; 
Be not faint-hearted, boys. 

But run the race to win. 

Be very kind and just, boys. 

Refraining from abuses; 
For sin and folly 

Hath no excuses. 
Guard well thy action, boys, 

For evil can't avail; 
And the evil doer 

Must surely fall and fail. 

Did you meet defeat, boys, 

Over which you cried? 
Well, it made you stronger 

If you really tried. 
Success is worth the striving 

From early morn' till late; 
And it takes a worker 

To ever reach the great. 

Guard well your thinking, boys, 

For evil brings disgrace; 
And will bring you down 

And show upon your face. 
There is a homely adage, boys. 

Which is good advice; 
And do not forget it, boys, 

•'Before you speak, think twice." 



92 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

Have lots of fun and frolic, boys, 

Run and skip and jump; 
But still be gentle, boys, 

Without a kick and bump. 
Keep your conscience clear, boys, 

Let your aim be high; 
You cannot live in "secret sin" 

Unseen by every eye. 

Your face will tell the story, boys. 

Of every secret shame; 
And you must face the world 

And shoulder all the blame. 
Be true to God and self, boys, 

And fast to virtue cling; 
And trust the lowly Jesus 

As Savior, Guide and King. 



ASPIRATION. 

We labor in the lowland 

With all the might of soul; 
Not alone for the present 

But for the future goal. 
And it takes a hero 

To win life's chancy game — 
If by earnest striving 

We trod the path of fame. 

The toiler's inspiration 

Is not the path that's beaten down; 
But it's the golden future 

Where justice gets her crown. 
For 'tis aspiration 

Which gives the world the men — • 
Who honor this republic 

With sword, tongue or pen. 



OPPORTUNITY. 

Opportunity comes unsought 
Knocking at your door — 

And oft' if turned away 

Will go and come no more, 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 93 



Again it's found returning 
For fear you didn't hear— 

And often times it lingers 
Around your door a-near. 

Sometime 'tis dressed in shadows 

Of a darkened sky — 
And if still unheeded 

Will bid you its good-bye. 

Again 'tis dressed in sunbeams. 

Offers you its hand — 
Asking you to take it 

Just from where you stand. 



BE KIND. 

The best sermon ever preached- 
And all the songs combined; 
Have not a sweeter meaning 
Than two words: "Be kind." 



y 



I MY WISHES FOR YOU. 

All the good that life possesses, 
Love and sweet caresses, 
Flowers bright and singing birds. 
Friendship true and kindly words, 
I wish you here a life of laughter 
And after death a sweet hereafter. 



THE FLOWERS' CONVENTION. 

Dewdrops came from heaven 

To kiss the thirsty earth — 
In honor of the flowers 

To celebrate their bifth. 
Sunbeams came like angels 

To kiss away the gloom — 
To shine upon the flowers 

And kiss them into bloom. 



94 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 



'Twas summer and the music 

Of the singing stream — 
By which I was resting 

Lulled me into dream; 
And in my fancy vision 

The flowers had a meeting — 
Before me in the meadow 

To exchange floral greeting. 

In this glad convention 

I was judge upon the seat — 
To hear each speaking flower 

Debating at my feet. 
And the first was Violet 

In its coat of blue — 
Saying that its mission 

Was "to gladden them that woo. 

"Very good," said I, "for Violet 

To aid the wooing cause" — 
And it made its bow 

Amidst great applause. 
And the next to speak 

Was a red, velvet Rose — 
And it sent its fragrance 

Directly to my nose. 

"My mission," said the Rose, 

"Is to cheer hope into bloom — 
To blossom at the marriage 

And wither on the tomb." 
"Thy mission's great," said I, 

As the others cheered — 
"But the Rose has won his favor" 

The other flowers feared. 

The next to speak was Lily 

In her robe of white — 
She looked like an angel 

From heaven's land of light. 
"My mission," said the Lily, 

"Is a plea for the pure — 
And thus defy temptation 

The cross to well endure," 



Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 95 

"A great and noble mission," said I. 

While I saw the Lily retreat— 
And the next to claim attention 

Was the Daisy at my feet. 
*'My mission," said the Daisy, 

"Is to stand by the way — 
For the hands of children 

To gather at their play." 

Before I spoke to Daisy 

Up popped the "Nigger Head" — 
"En me am for de white fo'ks," 

Is all this flower said. 
Then the great Sunflower, 

So large and big and round — 
Arose in its splendor 

Far above the ground. 

Forget-me-not was next — 

And its look seemed proud — 
As it spake its message 

Before the anxious crowd. 
"When you're all forgotten 

And memory is a blot — 
Just think of me," it said, 

"As love's Forget-me-not." 

And the next was Pansy, 

Who only made a bow — 
Just to show the color 

Of her velvet brow. 
The Touch-me-not arose and said, 

"I don't amount to much — 
For I've an ugly temper 

And me, you needn't touch." 

Then came the honeysuckle 

With fragrance fresh and sweet — 
And pleaded for a hearing 

While standing at my feet. 
And thus all the flowers 

That ever blessed the earth — 
Came in robes of beauty 

To join in praise and mirth. 



96 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

THE SOUTH. 

\ Amid the sweet magnolias 

Of the Sunny South — 
I heard the music pealing 

From the songster's mouth: 
And the prettiest songsters 

That ever fanned a wing — 
Are found in the South 

Where dwells eternal Spring. 

The sand is white and gold 

Amid a gentle breeze — 
Where grow the sweetest flowers 

And moss-covered trees. 
Let me die in Dixie! 

But let me live as well — 
Amid the southern pines 

In nature's blooming dell. 

The fragrant orange blossoms 

Dancing on the tree — 
And a thousand cattle 

Are grazing in the lea. 
The land of gallant lovers 

By the winding stream — 
And the water lilies 

Inspire the poet's dream. 

God has blessed the Southland 

With His mildest clime — 
And poets sing her praises 

In sweet, poetic rhyme. 
And if anywhere 

Earth and heaven meet — 
It is in the Southland 

At kind nature's feet. 



THE PESSIMISTIC POET. 

Lend a word, O helpful friend, 
From that tongue of thine — 

To make the tempest break 
In this sad heart of mine. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 97 

My tears are like the wavelets 

That ride the stormy deep; 
And oft I stay awake 

When I fain would sleep. 



THE OPTIMISTIC POET. 

Roll ye waves of trouble! 

But me you'll gently pass; 
For I shall find enjoyment 

In every blade of grass. 
The deep-throated songsters 

That sing from the wood — 
And every blooming flower 

Inspire my thoughts to good. 



MODESTY. 

Modesty is a flower 

Upon the maiden's cheek; 
While a rosy blush 

Their pretty dimples seek. 

We love thee, modest maiden. 
All praise around thee roll; 

Thou art the bloom of beauty. 
The fragrance of the soul. 



SAFE. 

Safe in the arms of Jesus, 
Safe in His loving care. 

Safe in His tender mercy, 
Safe in constant prayer. 

Safe from all temptation, 
Safe from shame and sin. 

Safe in the arms of Jesus, 
Safe from cruel men. 

Safe from the power of Satan, 
Safe from the drunkard's cry. 

Safe in the arms of Jesus 

Where all my treasures lie. 



98 Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 

Safe in living for heaven, 
Safe from worldly loss, 

Safe in the arms of Jesus — 
Once upon the cross. 

Safe in the evening twilight. 
Safe in the morning wake. 

Safe in the arms of Jesus 
Who my burdens take. 

Safe in the hours of darkness, 
Safe in His loving kindness, 

Safe in the arms of Jesus, 
Safe from spiritual blindness. 

Safe in daily struggles. 

Safe in Gethsemane's garden. 

Safe in the arms of Jesus, 
Thru His cleansing pardon. 

Safe to sing His praises 
With music soft and low. 

For He died to save me 
Years and years ago. 



LABOR. 

My honored name is Labor, 

The title some despise; 
But 'tis I who felled the forest 

And made the cities rise. 
God, with labor made the earth 

That I should carry it on; 
And since my ceaseless stride 

Begins at early dawn. 

Behold the cities of the world! 

'Twas I who built each spire — 
That point toward the heavens 

And defy the raging fire. 
'Tis I who made the desert 

Blossom as the rose ; 
And built the mighty sea-wall 

Where the wild wave goes. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 99 

I built every house 

And mighty structures frame; 
Then give to Labor credit 

And cheer my humble name. 
Let capital and Labor 

In fellowship unite, 
In duty and achievement, 

In progress and delight. 



THE PEACEMAKER'S REWARD. 

"It's mine!" said Johnnie, 
"You're a liar!" said Frank, 

And the peacemaker came 
To play his prank. 

"Look here, boys," said he, 
"We must this rucus lull." 

Then he ate the kernel. 
Gave the boys the hull. 

"Blessed are the peacemakers," 

Thus saith the Lord; 
The growlers get the shell, 

Peacemaker, the reward. 



THE SALOON'S KEY. 

It locks the door to heaven, 

Unlocks the door to hell. 
Has caused more heart aches 

Than any tongue can tell. 
Its many sins are countless 

As the silver stars. 
And has put the thousands 

Behind the prison bars. 

Unlock the doors of virtue 

Locks up the doors of truth; 

Unlocks every mad-house. 
Is the foe to age and youth. 



TOO Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 

Unlocks the heart of trouble 

Its woes to multiply; 
Giving pain and sorrow 

Where hopes wither and die. 

Locks up Christian training, 

Unlocks the drunkard's grave. 
And holds within its clutches 

Many a human slave. 
Its aim is graft and profit 

At the cost of precious souls, 
And kills its hundred thousand 

Each year that gently rolls. 

Unlocks human tear-drops 

And dulls the finest brain. 
Unlocks the broken-hearted 

To misery, woe and pain. 
Kills every noble impulse 

Of objects good and well; 
Locks up the door of heaven, 

Unlocks the door of hell. 



KEEP A-KICKIN'. 

There was a little froggie 

That lived by the spring — 
Where I drank in childhood 

When birds were on the wing. 
And this little froggie 

With a happy mate — 
Stayed by the springhouse 

From early morn' till late. 

One evening, Mr. Froggie 

Saw a little mouse — 
And thinking it a snake. 

Ran into the house. 
Mrs. Froggie followed 

In her gown of silk — 
And with her husband 

Jumped into the milk, 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power loi 



Now the Mrs. Froggie, 

Too indolent to swim — 
Began to despair 

In pessimistic whim. 
"But you must keep a-kickin'. 

Be alert and sane" — 
Said the Mr. Froggie, 

"And wait for dear Aunt Jane.' 

Now the Mrs. Froggie 

Didn't take advice — 
And refused to use 

Her swimming device. 
But the Mr. Froggie 

Kept up a flutter — 
Till he churned the milk 

And sat upon the butter. 

And when my old black mammy. 

Aunt Jane, with cotton head — 
Went to the springhouse 

She found one froggie dead. 
And he who kept a-kickin' 

Till the milk was churned — 
Was ousted from his prison 

With life and freedom earned. 



THE ROAD TO SUCCESS. 

To climb the rugged pathway 

That surmounts the hill, 
You must make the effort 

With strong, determined will. 
Energy and patience 

Must go well together- 
Mixed with a sunny nature 

In every kind of weather. 

You must be original 

With systematic plan — 
And never cease to struggle 

To do the best you can. 
Be strong, bold and fearless, 

For success was never made- 
By hesitating weaklings; 

So be not afraid. 



102 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 



Earnestness of purpose 

Will help you to obtain— 
An honored position 

With either brawn or brain. 
Character's a jewel 

Never bought or sold; 
Then careful be to build it 

And to its virtue hold. 

In climbing life's mountain 

Tho' you fall and fail — 
Arise again and struggle 

Tho' doubt and strife prevail; 
For toil and perseverance 

Will keep you in the line — 
To reach the distant summit 

And gain each grand design. 



THE VALE OF TROUBLE. 

Is there one in the game of life 

Whose heart has not been troubled? 
Or whose grief was multiplied 

Till drops of tears were doubled? 
But in the vale of sorrow 

Is where the strong exist — 
And the tears are sweeter 

After the passing mist. 

Perhaps death's dark angel 

Has stilled a lovely form — 
In the vale of trouble 

'Mid life's raging storm! 
But sweeter is His promise 

Of the "straight and narrow way" — 
Where we shall meet our loved ones 

In the land of always day. 

Ofttimes the clouds have passed 

Revealing beautiful isles — 
All around our pathway 

With its joy and smiles. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 103 

Then let us all take courage 

And pray the clouds to clear — 
For God shall mend all error 

And dry the human tear. 

I doubt and often wonder 

If a life has ever spanned 
The rolling tide of Jordan 

Without a troubled hand. 
Then let thy heart cease pining 

And count the trials you've known 
As little steps to heaven 

Where God shall claim His own. 



THE VOYAGE OF LIFE. 

Our lives are as sailing vessels 

O'er the calm and the storm-laden ocean; 
To-day full of doubt and sadness. 

To-morrow full of joy and devotion. 
To-day in the cloud of the shadows. 

To-morrow in the warm, sunny clime; 
To-day with tears of weeping, 

Then singing with music and rh3mie. 

We're drifting o'er swollen waters. 

We're tossed by the billows that blow; 
To-day we're happy in gladness, 

To-morrow we're saddened with woe. 
Let our compass be only the Savior — 

Holding the vessel straight to the chart; 
For often the waves that burden 

Are waves that trouble the heart. 

'Mid the rain, the dew and the breezes. 

The sun and the shade and the wave — 
We run till the journey is ended 

From the cradle to the grave. 
And heaven with hope and brightness 

Lures my spirit home — 
Where the voyage of life eternal 

Begins where angels roam. 



104 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 



BIRDS BY THE OPEN DOOR. 

I'm sitting by a cottage 

Rocking in the swing — 
Listening to the birds 

And the song they sing. 
I see a new-made nest 

The bird is hovering o'er — 
"While the mate is singing 

By the open door. 

The song he sings with folded wings 

With joy my spirits pour — 
For love is truly mated 

In the tree by the open door. 
"Why do you sing, my pretty bird?" 

And the answer comes from the tree; 
*T sing to cheer my mate on the nest 

And tell how happy are we." 

The new-made nest is built of straw 

Mixed with leaves and clay; 
But love makes it a paradise 

For the mated along the way. 
Heaven descends to hear the song 

And catch love's outpour ; 
For two lives are happy in love 

In the tree by the open door. 

My heart is singing, dear, 

As I hear the song they sing; 
For it comes to me 

On love's gilded wing. 
And my thoughts of thee 

Are growing more and more; 
And may our lives be sweet 

As the birds by the open door. 



MY CREED. 

I'd live for those who love me 
And help them to endure — 

The weight of life's burden 
And ask them to be pure. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 105 

I'd know my own weakness, 

And for others care; 
I'd be true and noble 

For there is much to dare. 

I'd give to all my friendship 

With love's sacred gift; 
I'd try to help the fallen 

With my humble lift. 

The noble thought 

And righteous deed — 
And holy love 

Is my creed. 



I'D BE A PRINCE. 

I'd be a happy prince; 

Not of any nation, — 
Nor the royal blood 

Of a king's relation. 
But I'd be a prince 

Of a woman's heart; 
And to own the universe 

Would be my lesser part. 

I would be a hero; 

Not of sword or gun, — 
But of a woman's heart 

Where Cupid has begun — 
To kindle constant fires 

Which power cannot fence — 
And to win her love 

Would make me a prince. 

*Tis not the royal blood 

Or uncommon sense — 
But a woman's love 

That makes a noble prince. 
Then I'm a prince 

And seek the throne — 
Of a woman's heart 

For live I can't alone. 



io6 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

SUCCESS. 

I've heard advice from many 

How to best succeed — 
But somehow there's nothing 

That seems to tell my need; 
But full well I know 

And the truth confess — 
That nothing in this world 

Succeeds like success. 



THE PAINTED SIGN. 

I will paint you a sign, rum-seller. 

And hang it over your door; 
A truer and better sign-board 

Than you ever had before. 
The sin and the shame and the sorrow, 

The crime and the want and the woe. 
That is born there in your work-shop, 

I will paint it as I go. 

And next I will paint a drunkard; 

The form of a fair 3^oung boy, 
In the morning of manhood, 

A mother's pride and joy; 
Yes, ten thousand other drunkards 

I will paint then, as they lie. 
In a torpid, drunken slumber,. 

There in the rut to die ! 

I will paint a mother's teardrops; 

Or a woman's beaten form. 
And cold, starving children. 

Driven out to face the storm. 
I will paint upon this canvas 

Starvation, want and pain, 
A hut without a fireside, 

In winter's sleet and rain. 

I will paint the noble father. 
Of a drunken, wayward son — 

Whose feeble head is bending 
O'er the form of the fallen one. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 107 

I will paint the loving sister 

In tears, heart-aches and pain; 
While every hope is blighted, 

Whose life's a sad refrain. 

I will paint the form of the mother. 

As she kneels at her darling's side. 
Her beautiful boy that was dearer 

Than all the world beside. 
I will paint all this, rum-seller, 

To show what your liquors cost, 
I will paint the shape of a coffin. 

Labeled with one word — "lost." 



A BOY'S QUESTIONS. 

Why do storks bring babies? 

Why do you say the earth is round? 
And why does gravitation 

Draw things to the ground? 

What is evaporation? 

And why don't fishes drown? 
How are colors made — 

Yellow, blue and brown? 

How can flies walk on ceilings? 

How much do monkeys cost? 
And when it snows a little 

Why do you say "Jack Frost"? 

Where does the light go 

When you blow it out? 
And why does sister grumble 

Just because she's stout? 

Where does the rain come from? 

Why don't the ocean overflow? 
Well, if you won't answer. 

Goodbye, I must go. 



io8 Poems of Truths Love and Power 

A POET'S MISSION. 

A poet's mind was born to love 
And praise each waving tree — 

And every nature's touch by God 
Of mountain, land and sea. 

A poet's hand was made to weave 
Life's gold and silver thread — 

Into rugs for weary feet 
On which to softly tread. 

A poet's heart was made to throb 

In sympathizing beat — 
On behalf of human woes 

And bid the waves retreat. 

A poet's eyes were made to see 
The bright of every side — 

And paint the beauty of the world 
In poetic skill and pride. 

Each blooming, blushing flower 
And bird on yonder spray — 

Were made to give us joy 
And bloom and sing their lives away. 

Then with gratitude 

Let us pause to see and hear 

The flowers and the birds 
While they linger near. 



ALONE— UNKNOWN. 

There's many a flower that bloom.s unseen 

And dies alone in decay — 
Just because no lover 

Ever came its way. 
And many a heart is broken 

Tho' by the world unknown — 
And withers like the flower. 

In life and death alone. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 109 

There's many a secret sorrow- 
That yet remains untold — 

And many disappointments 
In lives both young and old. 

But the saddest story 
This side of Jordan's shore — 

Is the little sentence : 

"You don't love me any more." 

There's many an unknown hero. 

With deeds heroic and grand; 
There's many a brave battle 

Not fought on sea or land. 
And many a life has perished 

After hope had flown; 
Ofttimes the greatest 

Live and die unknown. 

There's many a prayer that's offered 

In the vale of tears — 
And many a painful cry 

Unheard by human ears. 
There's many a sleepless night, 

There's many a thorny nest — 
When others lie contented 

In luxury, peace and rest. 

Often in life's evening 

One's love is still unknown — 
Save by the angels 

Around the Father's throne. 
I'd give my time and money 

To eradicate the wrong — 
That is thrust upon the lonely. 

To make their life a song. 



EVENING DREAMS. 

Twilight kissed the sleepy world 

And bade it go to sleep — 
And darkness covered hill and dale 

And all the briny deep. 
And fishes go to sleep and dream 

Amid the floating foam — 
Where countless creeping things 

Were made to swim and roam. 



no Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

The owl is roaming in the wood. 

The cry of whip-poor-wills — 
Penetrates the air 

And echoes from the hills. 
And the day-birds dream 

Where shadows softly creep — 
For 'tis roosting time 

And fields have gone to sleep. 

The singing brooklets flow 

Heedless of the night — 
The flowers drink the dew 

With relish and delight. 
And the brooklets sing 

To the dew-wet grass — 
To keep each blade awake 

As they gently pass. 

The moon and stars are keeping watch 

From the evening sky — 
And throw a glimmering light 

Where dewy pastures lie. 
And many a human mind 

While the moonlight beams — 
Is restless of the night 

In the land of dreams. 



YOUNG HEARTS OF THE AGED. 

My bride and I of sixty- 
Are going down the hill — 

Of married life together 
While love is growing still. 

Her sweet, old face is wrinkled; 
But it's just as fair — 

As when she was a maiden 
With locks of golden hair. 

My heart is full of romance; 

Still the birds are singing; 
The ivy on the wall 

In its green is clinging. 
Love has made us happy — 

And every error mended; 
And our honeymoon 

Still has never ended. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 



III 



Time has made us fonder; 

And our hearts are young — 
As when we gathered cherries 

Where honeysuckles clung. 
And when life's twilight 

Crowds the cottage door— 
We sit in dreams of love 

As happy days of yore. 



LITTLE SERMONS. 

Speak as if each word 

Were instead a deed — 
And it were in print 

Where the world could read. 
Be brave! and fear not 

The wrong to oppose ; 
Tho' it bring conflict 

And many life-time foes. 
Be strong! for strength is needed 

In this world of greed; 
And try to lift the fallen 

Till from sin they're freed. 
Be kind and true and noble. 

For each duty assigned — 
Must be well completed 

To kave a stainless way behind. 



WINTER. 

The winter is here in tropical clime 

With ice and wind and cold; 
The trees have lost their tint of green 

And robes of purple and gold. 
The snow and rain and mud 

Cause my feet to slide; 
But in my heart is joy and light 

Where cheer and spring abide. 



112 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

A POET'S WALK AMID NATURE. 

I saw the golden Sun-god 
Illume the western hill — 

And with its jeweled brightness 
I caught a poet's thrill. 

The brook was gaily rippling 
A-down the bordered lea — 

And singing on its journey 
Toward the trackless sea. 

I listened to the voices 

Around my head and feet — 

And everywhere the music 
Swelled sublimely sweet. 

The frogs joined the music, 
The breezes danced the time— 

The bull frog played bass 

Which sounded most sublime. 

The robin sang the chorus 
With the mocking bird — 

And every chord was perfect 
As any ever heard. 

O, sweet was the music! 

Of every faultless note — 
'And the many voices 

From every tiny throat. 

I listened to the music 

'Till the sun had sank to rest — 
And left its golden pathway 

Beyond the distant west. 

Then I gathered flowers 
Along the laughing stream — 

Aad resting by the waters 
I dreamt a poet's dream. 

i dreamt that all the flowers 
Were standing in their pride — 

Around my grassy pillow 
Close to my side. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Pozucr 113 

I saw the crimson landscape 

Just above my head — 
And strinp;s were hitched to stars 

Which were by children led. 

The horizon hedged around me 

With silver gates ajar — 
To receive the children 

Each with a shining star. 

I saw a thousand rainbows, 

Saw earth and heaven meet — 
Then I saw a fairy 

Standing at my feet. 

Then the flowers withered, 

Every bird had flown. 
The landscape had faded 

Leaving me alone. 

The stars ceased their shining, 

The children were no more — 
And the laughing waters 

Were noiseless by the shore. 

I fancied that the fairy 

While in my vision yet — 
Was my blushing sweetheart 

"A star to never set." 

Then I saw the flowers 

And every silver star — 
In her flashing eyes 

Which gleaming, stood ajar. 

And all the pealing music 

Which had been my choice — 
And every note and song 

Were in her gentle voice. 

Sweet noise broke the silence 

When at last she spoke — 
Then I brushed my forehead 

And from my slumber woke. 



114 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

EVENING. 

The sun has hid its golden face 

Behind the crimson west — 
The mother bobolink 

Is found upon her nest. 
The sky has changed its golden robes 

To gowns of blue and gray — 
And toiling men rejoice to see 

The closing of the day. 

The sky's a blooming field of stars 

In heaven's distant space — 
Like penetrating eyes 

From every angel's face. 
The nightingale begins to sing 

Its music in the air — 
While a million heads are bowed 

To say their evening prayer. 

Children sleep in slumber deep 

While others lie in tears; 
For shadows bring a broken wing 

To them of idle fears. 
Others rest in arms of love 

Beneath the starry gleam — 
Where shadows only bring 

An evening full of dream. 



BE CHEERFUL. 

If you can't be cheerful 

You needn't come around— 
For the world likes singing 

With no discordant sound. 
So if you haven't sunshine 

You needn't bring a sigh — 
To make the shadows thicker 

In life's benighted sky. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 115 

But if you're good at singing 

Or have a sunny smile, 
Come to see us often 

And thus our time beguile; 
For as in May-time sunshine 

The gardens stronger grow — 
Your sunny disposition 

Behooves an overflow. 

Make your heart a garden 

Of useful, sunny hours — 
Destroying weed and thistle 

That choke the fragrant flowers; 
For life's a fertile valley 

Where deeds like seeds are sown — 
And we must reap the harvest 

In gathering in our own. 



IF I WERE A SMILE. 

If I were a smile I'd chase the frown 
From country, city and town; 
And then I'd seek a place 
On every human face. 



MY MISSION. 

My mission is to work, toil and care 

For there is much to dare. 

I would the trial of others share 

And point them to jewels rich and rare; 

I'd^press upward to a loftier height 

With the armor of truth and right; 

And many blessings would I bring 

To shine forever for my King. 

I'd press onward where joy and peace abide 
With the Savior of Calvary as my guide; 
For He who walked on the rugged sea 
Daily walks and talks with me. 
I'd pray for the mother's happiness and joy 
To bring back her wayward boy. 
I'd pray for that beautiful girl 
To remain as uncankered pearl. 



Ii6 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

With my humble little [rift 

I'd praise and help and lift 

The fallen who work m vain 

To conquer foes and success to gain; 

I'd brinf'- kindness, hope and light 

In morning, noon and night; 

O, this is my mission — my prayer. 

For there is much to dare. 



MOTHER NATURE AND HER TWELVE 
CHILDREN. 

January starts the year 

With "new year's resolutions," 

With increasing hope 
Of victory in solutions. 

February's the last month 

Of zero's frozen Winter, 
With breezes like an arrow 

Which pierce us like a splinter. 

March the first of Spring 

And still with piercing breezes — 

That sweep o'er hill and valley 
Causing many freezes. 

April's always welcome 
With its bud and showers, 

Soon to clothe the earth 

With grassy lawn and flowers. 

May's the jeweled month 

Of every other season; 
The sunshine and blossoms 

Substantiate the reason. 

June's the first of Summer 

With its blushing roses, 
With the waving meadow 

With its blooming poses. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 117 

July's the middle Summer 

When days are hot and sunny — 

The clover-blossom time 
For bees to gather honey. 

August, oh! how sultry! 

And you'd better get the fan — 
And keep near the ice box 

The coolest place you can. 

September! now 'tis Autumn, 

A rest from summer heat — 
When the fields of stubble 

Speak of gathered wheat. 

October! with cool breezes 

Like a gladsome voice — 
Proclaiming Autumn's glory 

And bids the world "rejoice." 

November! now the leaves 

Come fluttering gently down — 

In their dress of scarlet, "* 

Of yellow, red and brown. 

Now winter brings December 

And glad Christmas time — 
When was born the Savior 

Of every land and clime. 



ENVY OF THE FLOWER BUDS. 

The flowers grew together 

From the tiny seeds — 
And appeared in bud 

Just above the weeds. 
I rested in the garden 

And heard the buds relate — 
Their desire of color 

And wrote it on my slate. 



Ii8 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

The rainbow hug-ged the sky- 
After an April shower; 

Each bud desired a hue 

When they became a flower. 

"Oh! rainbow," said the violet, 
"I really envy you; 

For when I am to blossom — 
I pray to have your blue." 

"And I would happy be," 

The rosebud said — 
"My dear Mr. Rainbow, 

To have your tint of red." 
And the timid lily 

Expressed her delight — 
While looking at the rainbow 

And said: "Just give me white." 

And the morning glory- 
Had to pause and think — 

To select its color 

And said: "Oh, give me pink." 

And thus all the flowers 
Pleaded to the sky — 

And envied rainbow colors — 
With a longing sigh. 

And later I was walking 

Amid that flower dell — 
And buds had grown to blossoms 

And had a fragrant smell. 
The flowers were contented 

In coats of red and blue — 
And all the other colors; 

For "rainbow dreams" came true. 



PATH OF THE OPTIMIST. 

Turn the clouds bright-side out, 
Ever smile and cease to pout. 
Seek the paths bright and sunny. 
As the bees that take the honey. 
In trouble, turn the dark side in, 
For growling is a mortal sin. 



Poems of Truth , Love and Power 119 

Let your light illume the ages 
And brighten history's pages. 
Flowers grow for us to choose 
And if thorns we cannot use — 
Pluck the flowers from the stem, 
Leave the thorns upon the limb. 

Let us leave our care behind us 

And woe cannot find us. 

The pessimist with doubt and fears 

Trods a thorny path of jeers. 

But gain is won against the odd 

For the cheerful born of God 



THE WINNING GIRL. 

The girl we like 

Is one who's plain — 
Not afraid 

Of sun or rain; 
One who knows 

And keeps her place — 
And declines 

To paint her face. 

A girl of queenly taste 

Tidy, neat and clean; 
One who grumbles not 

If she's fat or lean. 
The one who's true 

And unafraid — 
To claim her rights 

Is the winning maid. 

A lover of music. 

Poetry and prose; 
One who never 

Turns up her nose; 
Who never says "can't" 

But willing to try; 
With a smiling face. 

And a bright, clear eye. 



120 Poems of Truths Love and Power 

The girl who thinks 

Of nothing mean — 
Is the home's 

Fairest queen. 
Womanhood's flower 

And purest pearl — 
Is a modest, 

Winning girl. 



FLATTERY AND FOLLY. 

Did you ever hear 

Of the town of Folly— 
On the isle of Flattery 

In the land of Jolly? 
If you're innocent 

Oh, do not go 
To this town 

Of sin and woe. 

Love is fickle 

In that land; 
And homes are built 

"On sinking sand." 
Truth and honor 

There retreat; 
And men are bold 

With dire deceit. 



IN THE ISLE OF DREAMS. 

I'd rather be a dreamer 

Than have a royal name — 
And sit in the palace 

Of a ruler's fame. 
There is a peaceful valley 

Amid the sweetest themes — 
In the dell of slumber 

Of the isle of dreams. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 121 

I can soar in clouds 

Where the birds have flown — 
In castles of the air 

And call the world my own. 
There are leas of beauty 

That border singing streams, — 
Bedecked with weeping willows 

In the isle of dreams. 

The boy dreams of manhood 

Ere he comes of age; 
Men dream of childhood 

And view sweet memory's page. 
Then draw aside the curtain 

And catch the light that beams — 
From the land of beauty 

In the isle of dreams. 

Dream in day or midnight! 

And catch a poet's gleam — 
From the dome of heaven 

For life is like a dream. 
Then let us all be dreamers 

For a dreamer's life it seems — 
Is lighted by the stars 

In the isle of dreams. 



I'M WONDERING. 

I'm wondering if you love me, dear, 
And if you pause to think — 

That love makes living more 
Than raiment, food and drink. 

I'm wondering if you think of me 

In joy, bliss and pain — 
And if my love for you, 

Shall prove to be in vain. 

I'm wondering if your heart is true 
And if it beats with mine — 

When alone in solitude 
I think of thee and pine. 



122 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

The nightingale is singing, dear, 
And every note seems clearer — 

For every passing moment 
Seems to bring us nearer. 

Soon shall we meet 
In love's glad to-morrow; 

And your sunny smile 
Will drive away my sorrow. 

When descending dewdrops 
Make the flowers wet — 

Love's golden sunbeams 
Make them brighter yet. 

And when disappointments 

Make a tearful eye — 
A lover's sweet caresses 

Make the teardrops dry. 

But to-night I'm wondering 

Were you only here — 
If with love's caresses 

You would dry my tear. 



IF I HAD MY WILL. 

I would take my flight 

Like the eagle soars — 
And carry sweet peace 

To countless doors; 
And cheer humanity 

Where woes beguile — 
With words of love 

And a kindly smile. 

I'd praise the genius 

Who toil unknown — 
Where public cheer 

Has been unshown; 
For many a life 

Gives up and dies — 
'Most in sight 

Of the jeweled prize. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 123 



With crowns of justice 

And banks of credit— 
With food for all 

And hands to spread it, 
I'd crown the helpless 

And help the lame — 
Without knowing 

Their heart or name. 

I'd dry the tears 

Of them that cry; 
I'd drive the clouds 

From darkened sky; 
I'd bid them hope 

And help them sing; 
Till bells of joy 

Would sweetly ring. 

I'd banish war 

With smiles of peace; 
And crowns of justice 

Would then increase — 
Till every toiler 

In dark despair — 
Would lift a voice 

Of thankful prayer. 

I'd bind the wounded 

And cut in twain — 
The deadly germs 

That live and reign; 
And when cold hands 

Are folded still— 
I'd gladden death 

If I had my will. 



I would envy not 

The man who wins; 
But help him fight 

Life's luring sins. 
I'd gather flowers 

From every hill — 
To cheer the living 

If I had my will 



124 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

And with a love 

That cannot fail — 
To cheer humanity 
In sweet avail — 
I'll strive with tongue 

And pen until — 
God shall grant 

A poet's will. 



A VISION. 

There was a mighty army 

Amid the cannon sound — 
That marched in blazing heat 

Upon the losing ground. 
The enemy was nearing; 

The cause was true and great; 
And ere another moment 

The cause must know her fate. 

*Tf I had a silver sword 

Like the captains wield — 
I'd win the fight 

On this battlefield" 
Saying this the soldier 

Whose sword was rot with dust- 
Broke it on his knee 

And flung it to the dust. 

The captain's silver sword 

Was made for pride and show; 
And not to cut to death 

The onmarching foe. 
The captain rushing forward 

Dismounting from his saddle — 
Took the broken sword 

And won the mighty battle. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 125 



MY MOTHER'S FACE. 

I've seen the pretty boughs 
On the mountain wild; 

I've seen heaven's beauty 
In the face of Nature's child. 

I've seen the sculptor chisel 
And lines of beauty trace; 

But fairer than the rest 
Is my mother's face. 

I've seen the blue of violets 
In the maiden's eyes — 

Whose fair complexion 
Was soft as creamy skies. 

But of all the graces 
Which adorn our race — 

None are fairer than 

My mother's wrinkled face. 

I've entered shops of art 
And lingered there for days; 

I've seen the artist paint 
And heard his greatest praise: 

But the artist's hand 

However skilled by grace — 
Cannot paint the beauty 

Of my mother's face. 

Tho' others call her homely 
My flowers in the vase — 

Are the sacred wrinkles 
On my mother's face. 



126 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

SPRINGTIM'E'S CALL. 

Springtime sent the sunbeams 

To kiss the icy head — 
And wake the sleeping flowers 

From their winter bed. 

And the diamond dewdrops 

Glisten on the corn — 
Of the growing fields 

In the early morn. 

Bees are in clover 

Seeking tip-turned flowers; 

And the brooks are full 
Of the April showers. 

Darkies dot the cotton patch 
And fill the air with singing; 

And the merry plow-boys 
Hear the traces ringing. 

The "kale" and "mustard greens" 
That were growing in the lot — 

With a piece of "bacon" 
Are boiling in the pot. 

Everything is humming 

With the busy bees ; 
And the buds are "bursting" 

To blossom on the trees. 

Everybody's happy 

When Mr. "Spring" calls; 

And earth has dressed herself 
In green "over-alls." 



THE MISER. 

He lived to pile up dollars, 
No heed to right and wrong; 

He saw the warbling birds 
But never heard their song. 



Poems of Truths Love and Pozver 127 

He had no love for flowers 

But worshipped yellow gold; 
And in. the prime of manhood 

He was growing old. 

Love he never knew 

All friends he forgot; 
He bought the widow's mortgage, 

But heaven he could not! 



PROCRASTINATION. 

Defer not till to-morrow 
What you should do to-day; 

Procrastination's the foe to victory 
And puts obstructions in the way. 

To-day start the battle, 
Contesting for the prize ; 

To-day alone is called thy own. 
To-morrow's sun may never rise. 



IF. 

If every one were kind and sweet. 

And every one were jolly; 
If every heart with gladness beat, 

And none were melancholy; 
If none should murmur and complain 

And every one should labor 
In useful work and each were fain 

To help and cheer his neighbor — 

Why, earth would be a heaven. 

If every "can't" should turn to "try". 

Things would hum and hurry; 
If money rained from the sky 

We wouldn't need to worry. 
If "big I" and "little you" 

Were only sweeter-hearted, — 
Clouds would give a brighter hue 

And heaven would be started. 



128 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

DISSATISFIED. 

Some are rulers, some are paupers, 
Some have riches, grace and pride; 

Some have royal crowns of honor, 
Yet, not one is satisfied. 

Some have homes in crowded cities, 
Others by the ocean's tide ; 

Some have palace, hut or cabin 
Yet not one is satisfied. 

Some hath friend or loved ones 
In whom their joys confide; 

Many hath their pleasure 
But none are satisfied. 

Some are blessed with luxury. 
Some walk while others ride ; 

Some have plenty, some are hungry, 
Yet not one is satisfied. 

Some are guided by the Savior, 
Others go without a guide; 

Some are peaceful, gay and happy 
Yet, not one is satisfied. 

"Now we see thru glasses darkly," 
But when in heaven we abide; 

"We shall know as we are known" 
And only then be satisfied. 



THE LARGENESS OF LOVK 

Every lake and river 

And every foaming ocean — 
And flowing river 

Of wild emotion — 
Could ne'er contain 

Love's sweet outpour; 
For love doth fill 

A boundless shore. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 129 

TRUTH. 

As light shall conquer night, 

Truth shall conquer fright; 

And no fear shall come to thee 

From "The truth that makes you free." 

Then welcome truth and truth alone, 

For it shall reign on judgment's throne. 



THE TIME I THINK OF THAT SWEETHEART 
OF MINE. 

When the summer's ended 

With harvest gathered in — 
The farmer sits at evening 

With a happy grin ; 
And while he plays the violin 

And takes a sip of wine — 
That's the time I think 

Of that sweetheart of mine. 

When he tunes the fiddle 

And rosins up the bow. 
The soft touch of music 

Turns the world to woe; 
And my heart is quickened. 

The chill runs up my spine — 
For that's the time I think 

Of that sweetheart of mine. 

When the breeze is sighing 

And the branches dance — 
I try to stop and smile 

To give Old Joy a chance; 
But when the sky is clouded 

The stars refuse to shine; 
And that's the time I think 

Of that sweetheart of mine. 



130 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

When around the fireside 

We hear the phonograph — 
And every one is jolly 

It seems the time to laugh; 
But methinks the music 

Is full of woe and cryin' — 
For that's the time I think 

Of that sweetheart of mine. 

I go to see the children 

When the school is out — 
And watch them at their play 

And hear their merry shout; 
But somehow or other 

When they're all in line — 
That's the time I think 

Of that sweetheart of mine. 

When the birds are singing 

I pause to hear their song — 
And I would to God 

I could their stay prolong; 
And oh, ye happy birds, 

That morning song of thine — 
Only makes me think 

Of that sweetheart of mine. 



When the rose is faded 

And the birds have flown — 
And their happy song 

Is somewhere unknown — 
I dream of the beach 

Along the flowing Rhine — 
And I see again 

That dear sweetheart of mine. 

**The, night has a thousand eyes 

And the day but one" ; 
Yet the day is brightest 

With its golden sun. 
The world has a thousand maids 

All perhaps as fine; 
But none can take the place 

Of that sweetheart of mine. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 131 



YESTERDAY. 

There's a path I cannot trod 

And tho' I might prevail; 
That once held my tracks 

Along the beaten trail. 
Days, weeks and years 

Fence the beaten way; 
And I cannot trod 

The path of yesterday. 

And in the winding road 

There was a precious gift — 
From a maiden's hand 

That did my soul uplift. 
It was a summer rose 

Which did her love portray; 
But it's a withered flower 

That bloomed on yesterday. 

The friends that traveled there 

Have crossed the other side — 
Of death's dark river 

Within its heaving tide. 
And I'd not consent 

That ''Now" and "Then" should trade; 
For then the summer rose 

Was given by the maid. 

But often in my dreams 

I fly away to dwell — 
Among those early scenes 

Of which the poets tell. 
But when I wake and find 

The conflict of the fray — 
I take my pen and write; 

"Goodby to yesterday," 



132 Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 

HOW LITTLE THINGS GROW. 

I stood below the mountain 

Beside a tiny spring — 
Where flowers kissed the water 

And heard the robin sing. 
I followed the tiny riplet 

Thru the fragrant lea 
Till its little bubbles 

Became the mighty sea. 

I stood amid the children 

To see their merry play — 
And to a little cripple 

I heard the children say: 
*' 'Tis no place for cripples 

Where we're playing ball — 
For kids like you 

Are apt to slip and fall." 

Then I saw a tear-drop 

Kiss the cripple's cheek — 
And a little heart was broken 

Before I dared to speak. 
*T wonder if the angels 

Will drive a cripple away — 
And when I get to heaven 

Will they let me play?" 

The day was dark and cloudy, 

The air was cold and damp — 
While a piece of bread was given 

To a ragged tramp. 
But a word was spoken 

To the one hungry and cold — 
And a heart was won for Jesus 

By the simple story told. 



MOTHER. 

Let artists paint and poets write 
Within the walls of fame; 

But human hearts fall short the praise 
To write my mother's name. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 133 

She dried my tears in childhood's day, 

My pillow was her breast; 
When little feet were tired of play 

I found by her, sweet rest. 

She kissed my brow in bitter ills, 

She softly called my name ; 
While other hands grew weak and tired 

She was just the same. 

No day too cold, no night too long 

To soothe my aching pain; 
Tho' often bowed with sorrow's load. 

She stood thru loss and gain. 

My heart has often almost bled 

To see my mother pray; 
And earth, with all her pots of gold 

Cannot to her my debts repay. 



BE CHEERFUL. 

I say to all be cheerful ! 

And leave the fool his folly — 
Of painful fretting 

In gloom and melancholy. 

Let others do your worrying; 

For fools will always borrow- 
Every shadow of the sky 

In which to pine and sorrow. 

Begin to count thy blessings, 
And stop your sad repining; 

For we are told by sages old 
About the silver lining. 

Cheer up! give a smile, 

You're not asked to be funny; 
But on behalf of self and friends 

I ask you to be sunny. 



134 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

What's the use to worry 

In pessimistic folly? 
When 'tis just as easy 

To smile and be jolly. 

Tis no use to grumble 
Because the dew is wet — 

For the thirsty flowers 
Are glad its drops to get. 

Remember when a shadow 
Comes across the blue — 

That some one needs it 
Tho' it be not you. 

God's golden sunbeams 

Never failed us yet; 
And when clouds appear 

We're not supposed to fret. 

Though at times we sorrow 
Of causes sad and tearful; 

Yet in our sorrow 
God help us to be cheerful. 



May every reader not only read this poem, but- 

1. Study it thru. 

2. Put it down. 

3. Pray it in. 

4. Work it out. 

5. Pass it on. 



SUNSET ON THE FARM. 

Far away from city 

The sun is in. the west — 
Amid the crimson cloud 

Beyond the mountain crest. 
The cows are being driven 

From the distant ranch — 
Toward the mossy pool 

Of the flowing branch. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 135 

The boy astride the horse 

Coming from the plow — 
Hails the rosy maid 

While she milks the cow. 
Then they are together 

Walking arm in arm — 
In the crimson glow 

Of sunset on the farm. 

Amid the field of daisies 

O'er the lea of clover — 
They journey toward the house 

Then the walk is over. 
Then a blush is added 

To the maiden's charm; 
For love is seeking kisses 

At sunset on the farm. 

To the roost the chickens 

Are going in a flutter; 
The aunt is in the kitchen 

Busy churning butter. 
The birds are in the trees 

Hidden there from harm; 
The West is like a picture 

At sunset on the farm. 

Far away from city 

And the trodden street — 
Paradise is blooming 

Where the air is sweet. 
And the honest toilers 

Freest from alarm — 
Are the ones who see 

The sunset on the farm. 



MY BEST. 

The things that come and disappear. 
Discontentment, doubt and fear — 
Shall not dim my happy soul 
By asking me to pay their toll. 

Tho' the road lead up or down, 
And thorns or flowers be my crown ; 
The heart of love beneath my vest — 
Inspires my life to do its best. 



136 Poems of Truths Love and Power 

"My best" is all that I can do; 
Tho' the clouds be dark or blue — 
And be it said from East to West, 
"He lived, he tried, he did his best." 



DO IT NOW. 

If you have a pleasant word 

That will lift another up — 
Don't hesitate to tell it. 

It may sweeten a bitter cup. 
If you cannot preach a sermon 

In the old-fashioned way — 
You can preach the gospel 

Of kindness every day. 

Some hearts are sad and lonely 

That ought to sing a song — 
If an act of kindness 

Were only passed along. 
Then do it now, my friend, 

And make another glad; 
And blessings "an hundred fold" 

Await thy life to clad. 

When the sky is darkened 

Do not hide your light — 
For it was given thee 

To shine in brilliance bright. 
Many a storm-tossed vessel 

Upon the sea of doubt — 
Is wrecked by cruel waves 

Because our lights go out. 

Then let us keep them burning 

As a living guide — 
To storm-tossed vessels 

Upon the heaving tide. 
And pray for their landing 

No matter when or how — 
They will anchor safely 

If we do our duty now. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 137 



MEMORIES OF BOYHOOD. 

I strolled amidst the meadow 

In the sunset hour — 
And breathed the fragrance 

That sweetened every bower. 
And I heard the running 

Of the water mill — 
■To which I went in childhood 

Below the rocky hill. 
To-day methinks I hear 

The music of the wheel — 
As in early boyhood 

While grinding out the meal. 

Oh, happy is the memory 

When we climbed the sunny glade- 
To gather apple blossoms, 

Then rested in the shade. 
And blissful were the summers 

Of excessive heat — 
When we sought the brook — 

A cool and safe retreat. 
But childhood hath its pleasures 

Which we can't recall — 
Except in early memories, 

The happiest of them all. 

I rambled through the orchard 

To eat the plum and pear — 
That hung beyond my reach 

Dangling in the air. 
And the largest apple 

That hugged the apple tree — 
Was gotten for my sweetheart 

Who lived across the lea. 
And while her pearly teeth 

Would penetrate the peeling — 
I watched the apple vanish 

With a hungry feding. 



138 Poems ol Truth, Love and Power 



WHAT MAKES HOME. 

Tis not the mother's cooking 

Or the walls of brick — 
That make a happy home — 

But the baby's tricks — 
And a mother's love 

With a father's care — 
With all the children 

And the evening prayer. 

Why pass other homes 

When you're homeward bound- 
Which perhaps are finer 

Where luxuries abound? 
Oh, perhaps I know 

Your plausible reason ; 
For loved ones make a home 

In every clime and season. 



IF LOVE HAD WINGS. 

If love had wings 

Both light and free — 
To-night, my dear, 

I'd be with thee. 
O'er the fields of Summer 

With wings alert and airy — 
I would fly to thee 

Like a charming fairy. 

I'd pass thru flower gardens 

Of blossom, bud and leaf — 
To abide with thee 

Tho' be my visit brief. 
And Hke an angel's whisper 

Of sweet and cheerful things — 
I would fly to thee 

If love had wings. 



Poems of Truth. Love and Power 139 

REST. 
The farmer sits at evening 

And smokes his pipe of clay — 
While resting from the work 

Of a busy day. 
And the happy children 

Lie upon the floor — 
To repose and rest 

By the open door. 

When tired of earnest toiling 

In duty's faithful zest — 
We like to cease our labor 

And sink to peaceful rest. 
And when 'tis evening, 

While "fireflies" float and gleam — 
Let naught disturb our slumber 

But a pleasant dream. 

LOVER'S LANE. 

'^ We paused in lover's lane 

'Neath the yellow moon — 
And methinks the walks 

Were over quite too soon; 
And the nightingale 

Sang above the heights — 
Mingling song and love 

With rosy youth's delights. 

Life's longest journey 

But then is brief — 
Beset with trial 

With care and grief; 
But the winding road 

Farthest from pain — 
Is in rosy youth 

In lover's lane. 

The road of pleasant memories 

O'er sunny hills — 
Crosses "Happy Valley" 

'Mid the daffodils ; 
And perhaps "the memories" 

Only now remain — • 
But thoughts are sacred 

Of walks in lover's lane. 



140 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

Stay, Oh time, forever! 

In the sunny spots — 
For steps in lover's lane 

Are life's forget-me-nots. 
I'd rather be a lover 

Only tho' a swane — 
Than to be a king 

Alone in lover's lane. 

While now alone 

I often ponder — 
And my heart 

Grows still fonder. 
And my thoughts 

On "memory's train" — 
Carry me back 

To lover's lane. 

The flowers bloomed 

In April rain — 
And cheeks were red 

In lover's lane. 
And now I sit 

In rosy gleam — 
And see them o'er 

In my dream. 

We're told that heaven 

Where lives the soul — 
Will have no tears 

While centuries roll. 
Then let me live 

That place to gain — 
And there I'll walk 

In lover's lane. 



HOW THE HAT SOLD. 

"It makes you look small" 
Said the cunning clerk — 

To the lady of two hundred pounds. 
Sold! without farther work. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 141 

"It makes you look plump," 

Clerk said to the lanky, 
"Sold !" -said the buyer 

"What's the use to be cranky?'* 

"It suits your complexion," 

Said clerk very bold. 
And O, mercy! 

The hat was sold. 

"It suits your hair. 

Helps the rats to hold"— 
Said the cunning clerk 

And the hat was sold. 

"It matches your form," 

And this and that — 
And to each the clerk sold 

The same kind of hat. 



LIFE IS WHAT WE MAKE IT. 

Life is what we make it; 

Either bitter or sweet — 
For the thorn and flower 

Lie close at our feet: 
And they who choose the flower 

In preference to the thorn — 
Will find life's phases 

Unhurt by frown or scorn. 

Trouble knocks at every door 

To find its entrance in — 
And seeks to break the heart 

Of every human kin ; 
But life is what we make it 

And if we close the door — 
To discord and trouble 

We will frown no more. 

Life is what we make it; 

And lies within our power — 
To destroy the thistle 

And grow a healthy flower. 
Life is joy — a sleeping dream; 

And strife can never wake it — 
If we but learn the lesson 

That life is what we make it. 



142 Poems of Truths Love and Power 

MY AIR CASTLES. 

My upturned eyes salute the skies 
Beyond the lofty scale — 

Where airships fly above the cloud 
O'er mountain, sea and vale. 

Ofttimes in my vision 
Of the silver-clouded shore — 

I picture pretty cities 
And new planets explore. 

On springtime's day I sail away 
Beyond the human sight — 

For my castles in the air 
Themselves are rays of light. 

I crumble giant mountains 

Into a little pile — 
And hypnotize the waters 

Of the mighty Nile. 

I sit in halls of fame 
Which are lined with gold; 

I sail o'er rolling oceans 
On castles fast and bold. 

I visit my cottage homestead 
Where the children played — 

And the country merchant 
With whom I used to trade. 

I visit foreign countries 

In cities of the gay— 
And bid my ships to fly 

To carry my thoughts away. 

Ofttimes I'm the guest 

Of some royal lass — 
And associate 

With the royal class. 

Sometimes I'm president 
And with brilliance gleam — 

Till I wake and find 
It only a poet's dream. 



Poems of Tnith^ Love and Pozver I43 

Then I'm the ruling king 
Of a nation and with my crown — 

I ride my castles in the air 
Till they tumble down. 

But let me build my castles 

Above the eagle's flight — 
For my life is filled with hope by day 

And a poet's dream by night. 



ORIGIN OF THE FORGET-ME-NOT. 

After God had named the flowers 

While yet with dewdrops wet — 
One hung its lip in pouting 

And was heard to fret. 
The breezes gently kissed it 

But it sobbed the more; 
Cried, snubbed and worried 

Till its throat was sore. 

The others all were happy 

For the name they bore; 
And tried to cheer the other 

But still it sobbed the more. 
"What can be the matter?" 

The other flowers said; 
But this little flower 

Only hung its head. 

The lily, rose and violet 

The trio of the rest. 
Hovered close around 

In sympathetic quest. 
Then the weeping flower 

Lifted up its eye; 
And speaking to the others 

The flower ceased to cry. 

'T was weeping," said the flower, 
"'Cause I forgot my name;" 

And the dear God heard it 
And down He quickly came. 



144 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

"Cheer up," said the Maker, 
"Thou should never grieve ; 

Another name most rare 
Thou may receive." 

Then the other flowers 

Crowded at its feet 
To hear the name given 

And its praise to greet. 
"Forget-me-not shall be your name, 

A name you'll not forget;" 
The flower then was happy 

And bears its name till yet. 



THE GIRL I MEAN TO MARRY. 

There's many a girl in the roaming world 

Among the true and neatest; 
There's many a one in frolic and fun 

Among the pure and sweetest; 
There's man a Miss in maidenhood's bliss 

Cunning as a fairy; 
But the best by love's test 

Is the girl I mean to marry. 

The one for me as you will see 

Must be kind and tender; 
To not pout if she's too stout — 

Or tall and slender. 
The matter is small if she's low or tall 

If the heart she chooses to carry — 
Is the goal of a queenly soul 

She's the girl I mean to marry. 

Many are true I chance to woo 

And many are sweet and sunny ; 
But the one second to none 

May win my love and money, 
I welcome the day along my way 

When I can fondly carry — 
A picture of grace in my suit case 

Of the girl I mean to marry. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 145 

There's many a girl with teeth of pearl 

Whose eyes are pictures of heaven ; 
With conscience light and wisdom bright 

Whose age is nine plus seven. 
Still I wait and welcome fate 

Contented still to tarry; 
With a love that's free I'll cherish thee 

The girl I mean to marry. 

Not a rat beneath her hat 

And a face of powder; 
Not a pad and newest fad 

To make her body "stouter." 
Chewing gum, a silly hum 

And a painted face — 
Are folly's sin and cannot win 

The matrimony race. 

With dreamy eyes, blue as skies 

Who likes to get caresses ; 
With shapely hips and rosy lips 

And dark and wavy tresses ; 
O, this is she who charmeth me; 

No matter what her name — 
If her soul and highest goal 

Is love — a living flame. 



■^ 



GOD THOUGHT. 

God thought and made the earth 
So large and big and round — 

To hold the seas and valleys 
And every hill and mound. 

God thought and made the fishes 

To slumber in the deep; 
The waves for their cradle 

To rock themselves to sleep. 

God thought and made the songsters 
To fly on feathery wing; 

And with their throats of music 
His praise to ever sing. 



146 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

God thought and made the flowers 
To give us sweet perfume — 

And countless little sunbeams 
To drive away our gloom. 

God thought and made the waters 
Three-fourths of all the earth — 

To give us navigation 
And many things of worth. 

God thought and gave us shadows 
To blind our eyes at night — 

To make us appreciate 
His rays of golden light. 

God thought and made the children 
To make our moments sweet — 

And charm us with their frolic 
Around our weary feet. 

God winks at little children 
From the skies afar — 

With every shining eye 
Which we call a star. 

Then guide each thought and action 
For naught escapes His eye — 

Which sees from every mountain 
And every star-lit sky. 

God thought and made childhood 

Into manhood grow — 
To learn to love and praise Him 

Wherever humans go. 

God thought and sent His kisses 
In the drops of dew — 

Upon the pretty rosebuds 
From which the roses grew. 

God thought and made a heaven, 
All paved in streets of gold — 

For all His faithful children 
To enter in His fold. 

God thought and sent a Savior 
Because He loved us so; 

And thru the blood of Jesus 
We may to heaven go. 



V 



Poems of Tru th, Love and Pozver 147 

A CHILD'S THOUGHT OF THE 
BEAUTIFUL SNOW. 

From whence do you come, beautiful snow 

On your fluttering flight? 
Do angels send you down 

In your robes of white? 

I think you're so pretty 

To be my butterflies; 
And when I upward look 

I have to close my eyes. 

Do you love the children 

When you dance around? 
I think you're so pretty 

Coming to the ground. 

I think it's very funny 

In my little sleigh- 
Coasting down the hill 

In our winter play. 



COMPANIONSHIP. 

The honey bees from flowers 

Cannot live apart; 
Neither can our thoughts 

Since love doth fill our heart. 



vi THE HEART'S ESTATE. 

Love is the wealth 
Of the heart's estate; 

And like a growing flower 
Which you may cultivate. 



148 Poems of Truth, Love and Powef 

A LITTLE TOT'S SPEECH. 

Mary had a little sheep 
And she loved the lamb a heap; 
Its fleece was white as snow 
And this is all the speech I know. 



LOVE'S ANXIETY. 

If your love is certain 

Stay not upon the fence; 
But hurry dear, and tell it 

And thus relieve suspense. 
Send me a bunch of roses 

And let the flowers tell; 
For they are full of message 

A-blooming in the dell. 



THE COUNTRY BOY GOES TO THE CITY. 

All aboard! for town 

Where everything is gay; 
For there is pleasure's crown 

And an easy way. 
I'm tired of summer sun — 

And bathing in the creek; 
Give me more fun; 

The city I will seek. 
Goodbye! country friend, 

Goodbye! rocky hills; 
And here my trials end 

Among the mountain rills. 



J HE GETS HOMESICK. 

I'm tired of city walls 

And brick-laid streets ; 
Give back my over-alls 

And grass for aching feet. 
I'm tired of smoky clouds; 

I want the country sky — 
Away from passing crowds 

Where woodpeckers fly. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 149 

I'm tired of heated shops 

And the city dude ; 
Tired of city fops 

Whose ways are rude. 
They say my feet are big 

And my hands are black. 
I'd rather be a country pig; 

So I'm coming back. 



LOVE SHALL LIVE. 

When the judgment trumpet 

Gives the warning — 
And earth shall see 

No other morning — 
With greeting ended 

And prayers all said — 
Love will live 

When else is dead. 

When walls shall totter 

And seas shall close — 
And thorn shall perish 

With the rose — 
And every song 

And bird is fled — 
Love will live 

When else is dead. 



MAN DIES TO LIVE. 

If there were not a heaven 

To claim me when I die, 
And no future bliss 

Beyond a fairer sky, 
I would go to sleep 

Beneath the dreamless clay — 
And quiet would be my sleep 

Of a thoughtless way. 



150 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

But as the minutes die 

To make an hour — 
And seeds die 

To make a flower. 
My form shall turn 

To earthly clay — 
To bloom and live 

An endless day. 



BETTER TO LOVE. 

Better to love 

And love in vain — 
And die unloved 

In sorrow's pain — 
Than to live 

With a heart of stone- 
And chance to win 

The father's throne. 



THE DYING PREACHER. 

The parson lay upon his bed 

Where fate bade him lie; 
For his work is ended 

And it's time to die. 
Angels hover near 

To waft his spirit high — 
To immortal mansions 

Beyond the clouded sky. 

Wife and children stroke 

His locks of silver gray — 
To catch the dying words 

The dying man shall say. 
He prays a benediction 

Upon his precious wife — 
In the closing scene 

Of his earthly life. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 151 

"Darlings, do not weep," 

He said without a sigh — 
"God says that 'man 

Is appointed once to die.' " 
Then smiHng to his wife 

And children numbering seven — 
He said that "All of us 

Shall meet again in heaven." 



4 



GIVE ME ONLY ONE. 

God has made a thousand fields 

To blossom into bloom; 
God has lit a million stars 

To penetrate the gloom ; 
God has made a million hearts 

To love in burning flames; 
But only one I crave 

Of all the other names. 

Cupid laid his cunning plans 

And made a thousand brides; 
And Hfe is ebbing in the joy 

Of a thousand tides. 
Let heaven have the blossoms 

And starry fields of blue — 
If fate may kindly give 

Me you — dear, only you. 



A NOBLE FRIEND. 

Life's greatest blessing 

Since Adam sinned — 
In this world of longing 

Is a noble friend. 

One who hates to borrow 

But will gladly lend; 
The same in joy and sorrow 

Is a noble friend. 

One who tries to cheer 

When hope and sadness blend, 
One who really cares 

Is a noble friend. 



152 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

LOVE BORN TWINS. 

When God made Adam 

Love was born a twin; 
And every heart 

Seeks its own to win. 
For incomplete was Eden 

Made by God above — 
Till Adam's soul was mated 

With a woman's love. 



BABY AND MOTHER. 

A baby's laugh, a mother's love 
In heaven is born above; 
Angels guide the infant sweet 
And mother's weary feet. 

Baby sleeps on mother's breast, 
Baby's heaven, childhood's rest; 
No scene so beautiful or jewel rare 
Than the baby slumbering there. 



LOVE'S THOUGHTS. 

My thoughts are full of flowers; 

Each flower full of dew; 
The dew is full of heaven 

When I'm thinking, dear, of you. 



WE CAN SHINE. 

We cannot all be preachers 
Poets and teachers; 
But like the evening star 
We can shine where we are. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 153 

GOOD AND BAD MIXED. 

I find good among some bad 

And bad among some good; 
The shade that kills the grass 

Is where the herds have stood. 
And in the heart of them 

Whom men call ill — 
Is left a spark of love 

That glows and liveth still. 

Thistles and flowers 
Grow in the lea; 

But only the honey- 
Attracts the bee. 

Judge men by what they are 
Not by what they lack; 

For as you measure others 
You'll be measured back. 



LITTLE TROUBLES. 

Life is like the sea 

And its little troubles- 
Are only the surface 
And fade away like bubbles. 



LOVE AND PRIDE. 

J Tho' by fo-es I'm hated 
And by some denied; 
Foes take my money 
But not my love and pride. 



THE PESSIMIST. 

There is many a sup 

From a bitter cup 

On a barren shore; 

Flowers unseen 

With thorns between 

And waves are rolling o'er. 



154 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

A THOUGHTFUL DAUGHTER. 

She was younp^ and fair and happy 

And liked the horseback ride — 
As flowers Hke the dew. 

As fishes Hke the tide. 
But off! she jumped from pony 

To hook him to the cart — 
And sweetly kissed her mother 

While pony charged to start. 

The lane was cool and shady. 

The horse was in the trot. 
The ducks were in the lake 

Amid the shady lot. 
The father in the distance 

Was raking new-mown hay; 
And 'twas supper-time — 

The closing of the day. 

*'Hello ! father," said the girl 

"I came to have you ride; 
For surely you are weary 

So, hop in ! by my side." 
*'God bless my daughter," said the man 

"The long day has found an end — 
Of gratitude and kindness." 

As they drove around the bend. 

"'Tis nice to be remembered 

By one so sweet and fair," 
Said the feeble father 

And stroked his silver hair. 
"I came because I love you," 

The daughter sweetly said — 
And a kiss was given 

As she turned her head. 

To-day an aged woman 

The family pictures hold — 
Of her girlhood treasures 

More precious far, than gold. 
And when she sees the picture 

Of the father old and gray — 
She thinks of the ride 

From the new-mown hay. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 155 

A BOY. 

The happiest boy in the world of joy- 
Is a country lad — 

With freckled nose and sore to€S 
Whose very step is glad. 

He has a wart the roughest sort 
On his yellow neck; 

Can pick cherries or berries 
And eat 'em by the peck. 

On the go and can throw 

Like a soaring rocket; 
And who could guess 

The things in his pocket? 
Oh, yes ! you'll guess 

A hundred things in a roll; 
But let me tell — I know it well, 

It's only a little hole. 



AN OPTIMIST. 

The honey bee's a "cunning bug" 

And really he is funny; 
Having one end to sting, 

The other end for honey. 
And may I, wise as he 

Gather sweet from bitter; 
And find the good 

Even in the litter. 

I hear the music of the rain 

Amid the waving petals; 
And I love the rain 

Because the dust it settles. 
Water lifts the flowers 

Which the sun has bent — 
And trials make us stronger 

And aid us in content. 

The message of the angel 
Was cheer and "peace on earth; 

Then let us choose the good 
In everything of worth. 



156 Poems of Truth ^ Love and Power 



And methinks I hear 
A voice from Galilee, 

Bringing joy and peace 
Cheering such as we. 



J A LOVER'S THOUGHTS. 

I ramble thru the meadows, dear. 

Beyond the wooded hills, — 
And hear the laughing waves 

Of the silver rills. 
I hear the birds a-singing, dear. 

Their joyous, sweet refrain. — 
And long for your presence, dear. 

But my longings are in vain. 

I sit beneath the water oaks 

And see the sunset's glow; 
But you have my thoughts, dear. 

Everywhere I go. 
I hear the breezes sighing 

Thru the bending pine — 
.While the fire of love, dear. 

Warms this heart of mine. 

I tread around the lakes, dear, 

Where nightingales enthrall — 
And hear the mated birds 

Each other fondly call. 
My heart is pining _ 

But fain would sing — 
If wishes could 

Thy presence bring. 



HOPE. 

Hope is the "evergreen" of life; 
The only cure to conquer strife. 
Tho' shadows come without a spark- 
With not one star amid the dark; 
But with trial our hearts may cope 
With a single spark of hope. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 157 
HERE'S TO THE ONE I LOVE MOST. 

Here's to the wise 

And otherwise; 

The big, the high and the low, 

The small, the fast and the slow. 

And here's a toast 

To the one I love most; 

Be it he or she — 

But this is the one for me. 



DECEMBER. 

The holiest month of all the year, 
And my heart knows no fear, — 
Since one cold December morn 
The Savior of the world was born. 
Turned away from house and home 
In winter's dark to roam — 
Was the mother who gave birth \ 

To the ruler of heaven and earth. 

O, sweet thought of Christmas time! 
Thou art beautiful and sublime. 
Ring on, ye joyous Christmas bells 
From city church and country dells. 
Call the children by thy sound 
To come and feast on holy ground, — 
Where the call is clear and free 
Around the loaded Christmas tree. 

Let the children come with glee 
To the dainty Christmas tree. 
May every home be blessed with toys 
To cheer the heart of girls and boys. 
But think of Christ who reigns on high 
And ever brings his blessings nigh. 
May lofty aim from Christmas spring, 
An hundred fold of blessings bring. 



158 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

LIFE IN THE CITY. 

The human tide is drifting, 

The throng is marching on — 
Thru the crowded streets 

Like a changeless song. 
Bands are playing music, 

Drums are on the beat; 
And the cars are creeping 

Thru the city street. 

Moving, ever moving. 

Excited in commotion — 
Like the rolling waves 

Of the mighty ocean. 
And the merry sound 

Of the ringing gong — 
Adds to the noise 

Of the passing throng. 

Poverty and plenty. 

Happiness and pity — 
Constitute the life 

Of the crowded city. 
Lowly dives of evil 

'Mid the shameful crime — 
Add to the sin 

Of the city's slime. 

Homes of love and luxury 

With an endless blessing — 
Nestle in the city 

With love and joy caressing. 
Prayer, song and worship 

With glad bells a-ringing — 
Fill the city churches 

With praise and holy singing. 



FROM A LONELY LOVER. 

Dear, I'm alone to-night 

With loving thoughts of thee; 

And my heart is happy 
To think thou lovest me. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 159 

My love is like a shoreless sea — 
Or heaven's boundless height; 

And 'tis all for thee— - 
But I'm alone to-night. 

My love to thee was once untold. 

But now it's truly thine; 
To bud and blossom ever — 

If thou were only mine. 



NEW YEAR'S DAWN. 

Time has pulled her curtain down 

Behind another year; 

And holds within her folds 

Many a joy and tear. 

Christmas is fled, summer is dead; 

Another year is gone! 

So close the gate and do not wait — 

To welcome New Year's dawn. 

With lessons from the past, 
With high and holy aim, 
Let us start the year aright 
With love's undying flame. 
Regret not the dying year! 
Shed not one solemn tear! 
For another year is born 
On happy New Year's morn! 

God's sweet will abideth still; 
While man moves calmly on — 
Toward the light of heaven's height — 
Beyond the year that's gone. 
Let's fill our days with joyful praise; 
Seek not the world's applause;^ 
For every voice would fain rejoice 
In New Year's happy cause. 



YE ARE MY POEM. 

Ye are my poem, 

Sweet blossom of the South ; 
"Field roses" are thy cheeks, 

"Clover honey" on thy mouth. 



i6o Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 

I vainly search for stars 

In the blue-field skies; 
For my crimson sky's thy face 

And my stars are thine eyes. 

Thy bosom is my field 

Where love's heart-throbs beat; 
And here my poems lie 

And here is living sweet. 
Ye are my inspiration 

And one sminy tress — 
Is sweeter on thy brow 

Than a child's caress. 

I walk in blooming fields 

Where singing brooklets flow — 
And see the glad earth smiling 

Everywhere I go; 
For ye are my poem 

And life's a dream to me — 
For my inspiration 

Sweetest, is from thee. 

My pen moves gladly, freely, 

When to thee my thoughts are turned; 
For thou art a greater prize 

Than any ever earned. 
Ye are my poem, 

My human, singing bird; 
And thy breast the volume 

Embracing every word. 



OVER THE FIELDS OF SUMMER. 

Over the fields of summer 

Under the silver moon — 
Where the lovers v/ander 

And court in leafy June; 
Amid the field of daisies 

Their step is side by side; 
For in happy June 

Summer is glorified. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver i6i 



Over the fields of summer 

Under the crimson sky; 
Amid the clover blossoms 

With heaven's blessing nigh. 
Over the fields of summer 

Amidst the trees of fruit; 
When the fragrant meadows 

Wear a blooming suit. 



WHAT IS THE USE? 

What's the use 

To make excuse 

If you've done the best you can? 

For all the rags 

and tags, 

and brags 
Can never make a man. 

What's the use 
To give abuse 
To the one who's willing to try? 
Though he should 
and would 
if he could 
Be willing to pleasures deny. 

What's the use 
To forever seduce 
Truth on the cross of shame? 
For my belief 

is that slander's a thief 
born of grief 
And is the ruin of many a name. 

Let's stop excuse 
And cruel abuse 
And joy to contemplate; 
Let our style 
be a smile 

all the while 
Content to suffer and to wait 



i62 Poems of Truths Love and Pozver 

HOW TO BE HAPPY. 
With the dawning light of morning 

'Mid dew drops fresh and cool — 
Dedicate each day to duty 

And live by "The Golden Rule." 
Thus thou an free and happy 

Every passing day; 
And thy heart will keep a-singing 

On the upward, narrow way. 

Time shall mend all error 

If thou wilt do thy best; 
Simply work and do thy duty 

And leave to heaven the rest. 
Work will conquer every foe 

And tear the barriers down; 
While prayer, love and faith 

Will give thee heaven's crown. 



EARLY RISING. 

Arise at early morning 

With the dewy dawning. 

The happy birds arise 

When daylight clears the skies: 

So start the day aright 

With the morning's light. 



WHAT IS LOVE? 

A little mist in the skies — 

That is love; 
A little struggle for the prize — 

That is love; 
A little brightness on the way, 
A little gold amidst the gray — 

That is love; 
A little sunshine in the blue, 
A little heaven breaking thru, 
A little hammock just for two — 

That is love. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 163 

A little hand with a ring — 

That is love; 
A little time to stop and sing — 

That is love; 
A little sighing in the vale, 
A little quiver in the gale — 

That is love ; 
A little bowing of the will, 
A little courting very still, 
A little cottage on the hill — 

That is love . 

A little tear now and then 

For the quarrel that has been, 

A little flower plucked and sent — 

To make her more content, 

A little strolling by the stream, 

A little vision in the dream. 

That is love; 
A little hope to look ahead, 
A little curl on the head, 
A golden day in which to wed — 

That is love . 



SPRINGTIME. 

Springtime, with velvet hands 
Breaks Winters icy bands; 
While in Nature's heart 
The flowers start 
To banish Winter's gloom 
With Springtime's bloom. 

Where Winter's mantel fell 
Grow flowers in the dell; 
And the frosty sheen 
Has turned to green; 
While songsters sing 
To Nature's King. 

O, happy clime of Spring! 

Thou art the very thing 

For which we long 

In gladsome song 

In welcome to appear — 

The climax of the year. 




164 Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 

IF WE KNEW EACH OTHER BETTER. 

I If we knew each other better 
>J And could read each other's heart — 

There would be less cause to differ 
As we try to do our part. 

If we knew each other better 
And could understand each word — 

As we really meant it 
We would never say "Absurd." 

If we knew each other better 
We would be the last — 

To scorn an honest effort 
Or a stone to cast. 

If we knew each other better 

We would never ask — 
For an explanation 

Of an earnest task. 



If we knew each other better 
That would be enough — 

To smooth each other's path 
When the way is rough. 

Then let us not, my friend, 
With prejudice be blind — 

But to labor for Him 
Let us be resigned. 



JUST FORGIVE. 

If justice ain't your lot, 

Just forgive; 
For "your name is in the pot" 

And you can live. 
Be not swift to take offence. 
For anger is a foe to sense, 
And grumbling ain't worth a pence- 

So just forgive. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 165 

If some one treats you ill, 

_ Just forgive; 
Be kind and gentle still — 

For you can live. 
Better to be wronged than wrong, 
For injustice can't last long, 
Therefore sing a cheerful song — 

And just forgive. 



DON'T. 

Don't kick the dust and fight the air. 
And pout and say that you "don't care." 
Don't get your temper into kinks, 
And think as the "fool killer" thinks; 
Don't make tragedy of trifles; 
And shoot "nightmares" with rifles; 
Don't rip and snort and say you won't, 
But just be tame and simply don't. 



JUST BE GLAD. 

If it's a rainy morning, 

Be not sad ! 
Heed this gentle warning 

And be glad. 
Learn to honor and adore. 

Rejoice for evermore — 
And as I said before 

Just be glad. 
Do not look for green-eyed strife. 

Just be glad; 
And make the most of life 

My precious lad. 
Keep busy "on the jump," 
Hustle up and "hump" — 
For you're a "sugar lump," 

When you are glad. 



i66 Poems of Truths Love and Power 

KEEP A-GOIN'. 

If your path is toward the mountain 
Keep a-goin'. 

From her breast springs the fountain- 
Keep a-goin'. 

God will help you in the fight 

To put defeat to flight 

And guide your feet aright 
If you keep a-goin'. 

If you want to reach the goal 

Keep a-goin'. 
Tho' clouds around you roll, 

Keep a-goin'. 
Keep your eye upon the Book, 
With an ever upward look 
And you will cross the brook — 

If you keep a-goin'. 

If you want to gain the battle 

Keep a-goin\ 
Tho' foes around you rattle. 

Keep a-goin'. 
You've no time for over-sleep — 
For the upward way is steep — 
But you can the harvest reap 

If you keep a-goin'. 

If you want to be cheerful 

Keep a-goin'. 
No cause for feelin' fearful — 

Keep a-goin'. 
Keep your character free from stain, 
Aboard the car of patience's train — 
And your fortune is your brain 

If you keep a-goin' 



IT WILL DO NO GOOD TO WHINE. 

If your path is not of roses, 
If the fish ain't on your line, 

And the day is somewhat cloudy 
'Twill do no good to whine. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 167 

If the children romp and holler 

And scatter wide their toys, 
Whining will not help it 

Nor stop the roaring noise. 

If the bread is salty 

When you go to dine — 
And the tea is groundy 

'Twill do no good to whine. 

If you can't be cheerful 

And want to fret and pine — 
You will find it easy 

To start a little whine. 

O'er every doorway 

I'd write this little sign: 
That all who live might read it — 

"'Twill do no good to whine." 



IT'S HARD TO FORGET. 

Twas an early spring-time — 

A warm and sunny day, 
Along a pretty river 

In the month of May. 
We were by the river 

Feelin' trim and fine; 
Waiting for the fishes 

To nibble on the line. 

John and his sweetheart 

Were sitting on a plank — 
Just above the water 

O'er the muddy bank. 
That the plank was rotten. 

It's hard to forget; 
For it tumbled down 

And got the lovers wet. 

Under bonds of friendship 
A friend came to borrow — 

A hundred dollars 

To pay it back to-morrow. 



1 68 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

Now he shuns my presence, 
Because he owes the debt, 

And I'm frank to say 
It's hard to forget. 

In my early boyhood 

The girls would call me "pet," 
And cover me with kisses — 

I almost feel 'em yet. 
Now a maiden's kisses 

Are very hard to get — 
(Now I'm just supposin') 

But I can't forget. 

While roaming in the city — 

(A stranger from the farm), 
I started up Broadway 

To see its every charm. 
While gazing there at splendor — 

A charming gent I met, 
Who took my watch and money, 

And I can't forget. 



SUCCESSWARD. 

If you wish to be successful 
And do things with a knack, 

You must ride the train of patience 
And keep the wheels upon the track. 

If you wish to be happy 

And life's battle to nobly win, 
You must pray, work and struggle 
! And help to banish sin. 

If you possess the moral courage 
The barriers will surely fall. 

And you'll find a way to conquer 
Be the barriers great or small. 

Live for heaven, do your duty. 
Do it with both main and might; 

Live for others and be happy. 
Dare to do the good and right. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 169 

Give thy best and give it freely, 
Always strive to lead the van; 

For as fire doth prove the metal 
So do struggles prove the man. 

Keep your eye upon the hill-top, 

Let successward be your aim; 
Hold honest merit above dishonest riches 

And principle above the wreath of fame. 

Let the sentiment of your conscience 
Guide and guard you in the fight ; 

And with duty as your watchword 
You will ever go aright. 



SMILE OR FROWN. 

A smile will keep things "right-side up," 

And sweeten the bitter cup; 

While a constant frown 

Will keep things "up-side-down." 

A smile is a bunch of sunbeams 
Whose mission is to chase — 
The furrows of care 
From the human face. 

Then let us choose the smile, 
A bunch of sunbeams bright — 
To play upon our face 
And put the frowns to flight. 



LITTLE THINGS. 

Little golden sunbeams. 

Little drops of dew — 
A little cloud of purple 

A little tint of blue— 
A crimson-hearted landscape 

And nature's laws are drawn; 
And the evening twilight 

Precedes the morning dawn. 



170 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

A little step of childhood, 

A little human bone — 
And constant drops of water 

That wear a mighty stone — 
May become a power 

By nature's cunning plan — 
And thus it is the "little things" 

That help to make the man. 

Each passing day of schoolhood. 

Each rule that we obey — 
And every perfect lesson 

Will help us on the way. 
Each duty well discharged 

Tho' it seeming small — 
Will give us strength and courage 

And thus prevent our fall. 

Then let us count the trifles 

And not their worth ignore — 
For life is like a warehouse 

With "little things" in store. 
When at the feet of Jesus 

We lay our burdens down — 
And thus have done our duty, 

Success will be our crown. 



TWO PICTURES OF LIFE. 
Part I. 

In life's early morning 

Two lovers fair and proud — 
Sat along the river 

Beneath a crimson cloud. 
Each picturing the future 

With love's undying flame — 
When they shall live together 

As one in heart and name. 

Not fairer are the lilies 

Along the river-side — 
Than the charming maiden 

Soon to be his bride. 



Poems of Truth, Lov^e and Pozver 171 

Not happier are the robins 

That sing above their head — 
Than the gallant lover 

Ere the time to wed. 

Part II. 

The sky is gray and crimson 

Across the distant west — 
The larks have ceased their singing". 

The birds are in their nest. 
The shop-whistle has blown its sound 

Across the sandy loam — 
And the toiling father 

Is bound for "home sweet home." 

'Tis evening and the fireside 

Is the pretty scene — 
Of a happy father 

And a mother queen. 
Sweet and playful children 

Are prancing on the floor — 
While the gentle breezes 

Are knocking at the door. 



THE WANDERING BOY. 

Somewhere a boy is wandering 
Away from a mother's prayer; 

Some dear heart is pondering 
In sin's deep despair. 

Somewhere is flowing a mother's tear 
In the home where trouble is piled; 

Some heart is longing for cheer 
From a mother's roaming child. 

Somewhere a mother's weeping; 

Somewhere, somewhere ! 
A sleepless watch she's keeping 

And prays a mother's prayer. 



172 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

THE QUEEN OF FLOWERS. 

I wandered in the garden 

To pass the morning hour — 
And gathered fragrant garlands 

Of every dewy flower. 
I saw the blooming lily 

Fair as winter's snows — 
But sweeter than the lily 

Was the blushing rose. 

What is there of pleasure 

Sweeter than the flowers — 
In the rugged pathway 

Of this life of ours? 
They speak of joy and love 

And the maiden knows — 
That the laddie loves her 

When he sends the rose. 

I saw forget-me-nots 

Nestling in their bed — 
And the pretty violet 

Lifted up its head. 
But fairer than the others 

Of every one that grows — 
Is the queen of flowers 

Which we call the rose. 

Kissed by the dew-drops 

Or by April showers — 
I see a thousand sunbeams 

In the bending flowers. 
Poetry in volumes 

I find at my toes — 
When I'm softly treading 

Around the velvet rose. 

O, blushing, blooming roses! 

In your fragrant bower. 
Thou art the queen 

Of every living flower. 
Sweet smelling roses !_ 

That perfume the air — 
And cheer the weary 

Like an evening prayer. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 173 

I roamed in the woodland 

Of the shady bowers — 
With thoughts of love and beauty 

While plucking pretty flowers; 
But when I found the queen of all 

Which was the velvet rose — 
I sat beneath the maples 

In nature's sweet repose. 



THE PRICE OF AN APPLE. 

In the blooming Eden 

When the world was new- 
Two lovers gathered flowers 

Fresh with morning dew. 
God had made a garden 

And put the lovers in it; 
But an apple bite 

Lost it in a minute. 

The devil came around 

To the Eden's madam; 
Had her bite the apple 

Which she gave to Adam. 
Then the charming lovers 

Were afraid; and felt — 
That they must flee 

From Eden where they dwelt. 

One bite of apple 

Is the total cost — 
Of a life of ease 

Which the lovers lost. 
And the only reason 

The lovers had to leave — 
Was the disobedience 

Of Adam and his Eve. 



THE FLOWER OF FLOWERS. 

There are many valleys of forget-me-nots 
Where flowers bow and wave ; 

There's many a flower of memory 
On an unforgotten grave. 



174 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

But of all the pretty flowers 
Found in garden or mart — 

Is the flower of flowers 
That grows in the human heart. 

It grows from the soil of love 

Like an angel clothed in Hght; 
Its fragrance is pure and sweet 

Tho' crushed by grief and blight. 
It blooms in winter and spring 

And is born of heaven's sky; 
This beautiful flower of flowers — 

Which gold can never buy. 



THE SOUTHLAND OF SUNSHINE. 

When morning wakes the flowers 

Amid the fields of dew — 
The air is filled with fragrance 

From blossoms fair and new. 
Birds are making music 

While buds to flowers grow; 
Leaves are dancing on the trees 

Where southern breezes blow. 

Hail! dear North, to greet the South — 

Like kisses on the maiden's mouth. 
Each a friend — tho' once a foe 

In battle strifes of long ago. 
Once blood flowed o'er battle lines 

And bullets sang thro' southern pines. 
But now in justice all agree 

That every human shall be free. 

God bless the land of sunshine! 

Where honeysuckles steal — 
Around the darky's cabin. 

Where songs and banjo peal. 
And bless the old plantation 

Where cotton fields are growing; 
An' Uncle Ned and "chil'en" 

Who rise by roosters' crowing. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 175 

O, sunny land of Dixie ! 

The clime I love so well — 
The scene of the battle 

Where many heroes fell. 
'Mid life-blood of the dying 

The southern flag fell down; 
Tho' her sons were true 

And deserve a crown. 



THE CHEERFUL SPIRIT. 

Let's try to scatter sunshine 

In our daily path, — 
And crown the way with roses 

Choking out the chaff. 
Be hopeful of the morrow 

And do our best to-day; 
And a crown of joy 

Will be our richest pay. 

Let's sail on cheerful rivers 

Or on life's silver lake — 
Where we may pride and frolic 

And thus our pleasures take. 
Let words be soft as twilight 

And gentle as a lark, 
And prayer will be a lighthouse 

To guide us thru the dark. 



THE BLUE AND THE GRAY. 

Two sons both grand and noble 

Heard their country's call, 
To join the Civil War 

To fight and stand or fall! 
Each left a happy home 

But with a mother's prayer — 
To die upon the battlefield 

Or gain sweet freedom there. 

Leaving home and sweetheart 
With chance to meet no more; 

Each braved the danger 
Of a bloody shore. 



176 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

Each thinking he was right, 
Both true, I'm bold to say; 

Tho 'one was wearing blue, 
The other wore the gray. 

Now the peaceful banner 

Of our country's flag — 
Protects the blue and gray 

Without a boast or brag. 
May naught disturb the peace 

In freedom's holy way — 
And let us think in memory sweet 

Of both the blue and gray. 



LOVE. 



The sages of the ages 

Have striven to explain- 
The mysteries of love 

In the heart and brain. 
But science doesn't offer 

Love's definition — 
Yet in all the world 

Love gets recognition. 

I feel the joy 

That love bestows — 
And my heart 

Just overflows. 
I feel the wind 

And know it blows — 
But tell I cannot 

Where it goes. 

Love I can't define 

But know it's real; 
For its thrill 

I often feel. 
Earth's greatest power 

Below or above — 
Is nothing else 

But holy love. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power lyy 

Here's my definition 

As I see it best : 
Love is pain and joy 

That causes one unrest; 
For love is a flower 

Having thorn and bloom — 
That blossoms at the marriage 

And withers on the tomb. 



DEATH AND LIFE. 

Death is but a dreamless sleep — 

A sleep minus breath ; 
The soul s eternal life 

Is the end of death. 

Have no fear of death, 
But love and trust and give; 

How you die it matters not 
But God cares how you live. 

The dead shall wake 

From long repose — 
And live again 

Since Christ arose. 

Death's a sleep 

Of peaceful rest; 
And willed by Him 

Who knoweth best. 



SENTIMENTS OF LOVE. 

I wandered by the banks 

Of the silver lake — 
And saw the whitecaps 

O'er each other break. 
And the rolling wavelets 

Did each other shove — 
Like playing children 

In their youngest love. 



178 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

I saw the nodding flowers 

To each other bow — 
While the gentle breezes 

Kissed my sunny brow. 
Then I heard the calHng 

Of a lonely dove; 
And when another answered 

I knew they were in love. 

And soon I was roaming 

'Neath the southern sky — 
With a pretty maiden — 

Just she and I. 
Finding pretty flowers 

And taking off my glove — 
I gave to her the roses 

Because I was in love. 



THE GREATEST THING. 

If "God is love," then love is God 

And good did love create; 

For 'tis love's plan 

That each should find a mate. 

And where love is not 

Life is dull and void; 

With happiness unknown 

For sweetness is destroyed. 

The greatest thing of ancient time 

Or the modern a-^e, 

Is simply love ar.d only love 

Revealed in Bible page. 

For 'tis love and only love 

That makes the whole world kin; 

The greatest theme of mortal tongue 

And greatest of the pen. 



THE GIFT RETURNED. 

I do not ask for jeweled crowns 
The world's applause to win; 

For I have a crown of love 
That shines out from within. 



Poems of Truthj Love and Power lyg 

But return my love, O friend. 

Lend a helping hand; 
For "give if you would get" 

Is the Lord's command. 



LOVE'S FORGET-ME-NOT, 

Love is like the flowers 
That often bloom unseen; 

But sheds its fragrance 
In memories fresh and green. 

As water seeks its level. 

Love seeks its own; 
Ne'er to be contented 

To live and love alone. 

Many are the evenings 

When love's forget-me-not — 
Unfolds its perfect blossom 

In a cheerless spot. 

Earth's a blooming Eden, 

Without a single blot — 
Where grow the perfect blossoms 

Of love's forget-me-not. 

No matter whom the lover — 
A grown-up or a youthful tot. 

The longing hand will gather 
Love's forget-me-not. 

Let all the flowers wither 

In life's blooming lot. 
If fate may let me gather 

Love's forget-me-not. 

Life's sweetest joy 

Is by the mossy cot. — 
Where two hearts may gather 

Love's forget-me-not. 



i8o Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

HIS NAME IS KICK. 

He kicks at the right 

And kicks at the wrong; 
He kicks if you whistle 

Or sing a song. 
The road is dusty 

Or it's wet and slick; 
His conscience is rusty 

And his name is Kick. 

The weather is sunny 

Or the street is ice; 
He kicks at bad weather 

Or kicks if it's nice; 
He kicks if he's well 

Or if he's sick; 
He has no gratitude 

And his name is Kick. 



1/ 



J 



LOVE'S PLEDGE. 

Here's my pledge of love undying! 
The' the moon should fade and fall; 
I will never cease to love thee 

With my heart, my soul, my all. 
Thou hast won my love forever! 

Thou art all the world to me; 
Thou art queen of land and ocean 

And I yield my life to thee. 

Man, nor fate nor power 

Cannot, dare not ! chill — 
This heart that ruly loves thee 

In mind and soul and will. 
Tho' the heavens totter ! 

And stars should crumble down; 
My love would bud and blossom 

And wreathe thee with a crown. 

Tho' death should reap the flowers 
Beneath the killing frost; 

And every cause of justice 
Were nobly tried and lost! 



Poems of Truth, Love and Poiver i8i 

Yet would I love thee 

Tho' fortunes be the cost, — 
And millions more of people 

Should die where earthquakes tossed. 

Tho' night should last forever! 

With future light unknown, — 
Thou would be my joy and light 

Till heaven claimed its own. 
Tho' winds should cease their music 

And planets drop and roll, — 
Thy sweet and holy memories 

Would blossom on my soul. 



THE ARMS OF NIGHT. 

Night has pulled her curtain down 
To show each shining star — 

Of heaven's outer lining 
To make the shadows far. 

When shadows chase the sunbeams 
From off their crimson lots — 

The stars illume the skies 
As God's forget-me-nots. 

The toilers start for home 

Where food and love and rest, 

And the arms of night 
Soothe the human breast. 

The dew-drops fall to kiss 
The bud and blade and flower. 

While in the arms of night 
Sleeps each passing hour. 

The busy, toiling world 

Like a silver shoon — 
Is wrapped in gentle rays 

Of the yellow moon. 

The night-birds roam and sing 
And make a joyful psalm, 

And the sighing breezes 
Break the evening's calm. 



1 82 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

Modesty and virtue 
Fight the foes of right: 

But often lose the battle 
In the arms of night. 

And velvet-handed gamblers 

Ever on the flight, 
Fain would seek their victims 

In the arms of night. 

But sweet is the home 
And pretty is the sight — 

Where love and prayer repose 
In the arms of night. 



LOVE ANSWERS. 

Why is your heart a-longing 

For another across the way? 
Why do you cherish the words ? 

When you hear her sweetly say: 
"I think you're brave and gallant 

Because you've proven so; 
And dear, I'll feel so lonely 

After your time to go." 
Love answers. 

Why do you call her pretty? 

Where do you find her charms? 
Why are you still a-longing 

To see her soft white arms? 
Why do your affections 

About each other twine? 
And why akin to sunbeams 

Are those two eyes that shine? 
Love answers. 

Why do you read her letters? 

And why do you answer quick? 
Why is the mucilage sweet 

Upon the stam.ps you lick? 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 183 

Why do you long to see her? 

Why your plans all laid? 
Why continue calling 

After the trips you've made. 
Love answers. 



GOLDEN KEYS ON THE SEA OF LIFE. 

Life is like a vessel 

Holding many keys— 
And each unfurls a sail 

On life's rolling seas. 

The largest key is Love 

To adjust the sail; 
And the next is Peace 

To harmonize the gale. 

Without these two keys 
Their blessings to bestow— 

The boat will spring a leak 
And soon will overflow. 

And next you need a compass 
To keep you well in line — 

Which is the key of Trust 
Unlocking the Divine. 

And next a "life preserver" 

And Jesus is this key — 
Which unlocks heaven 

For sailors such as we. 

When the ship is rocking 
Against the captain's will — 

Use the key of Trust 
And hear Him : "Peace be still !" 

The next key is kindness 

To make another feel 
Your volunteer assistance 

Waiting not appeal. 



184 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

The next key is Duty 
To which you should attend — 

And don't forget this 

Where peace and safety blend. 

The next key is Gratitude — 

Ever on your lip; 
And there are many others 

But these will guide your ship. 



LOVERS. 

We were walking in the woodland 

Beneath the sheltered nook — 
And the wavelets whispered 

To the flowers by the brook; 
And the words they whispered 

While they gave an elbow shove — 
Were "there goes two lovers 

Who are deep in love." 

The sunshine told the jaybird 

And the jaybird told the bee; 
The bee told the robin 

In the cherry tree. 
The bullfrog :old the fishes 

The fishes told the toad: 
And a serenade was given 

As we marched along the road. 

And I asked the maiden 

If what they said wa« true; 
Then her dreamy eyes 

Told the story too. 
Then my heart grew lighter — 

Lighter than a wing; 
The brooklet told the river 

While the birds began to sing. 

The river told the ocean, 

The ocean told the sea — 
And I told the maiden 

And the maiden told me. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 185 

And someone told the angels 

And the angels told the sky — 
And the "license" told the preacher 

In the sweet bye-and-bye. 



HOW TO LIVE. 

Keep the eyes above the clod; 
But be careful where you plod — 
Lest the stumbling stone be there 
And you strike it unaware. 
Jesus lights this weary land 
To every one who takes a stand — 
To bear the cross that Jesus bore 
Before he left the earthly shore. 

Link the heart to love's chain — 
Rejoice in either sun or rain; 
For there is an endless day 
Which night can never steal away. 
Learn to master self-control — 
Count the blessings of the soul ; 
Tune the heart to joyful strings, 
Listen to the song it brings. 

Keep the thought above the gloom — 
Every wayside hath its bloom; 
But be careful not to fall 
Where temptations call. 
Keep the soul above the night — 
God has filled the world with light, 
Morns of music, moons of gleam, 
And the evening bringing dream. 



WHAT THINGS ARE FOR. 

Dolls, and dimples, and fancy curls 

Are only for little girls. 

And tops, and strings and pretty toys 

Are only for little boys. 

But here's something for every child : 

Obey your parents and be mild. 



i86 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

Little hands are for work each day 
In helping mamma after play. 
Little tongues are to tell the truth, 
For this practice should begin in youth. 
Little feet are to save many a step 
For weary mothers who need your help. 

Little teeth are to chew 
Biscuits — just a few. 
Little eyes are to see the good 
In days of innocent childhood. 
Little ears are to hear the call 
Of mother who loves them all. 

Little faces 

Are human vases 

That hold the rose 

On your cheek 

So sweet and meek. 

But how about your nose? 

Little legs 

Are human pegs 

On which we plod and moil; 

Or work and play and toil. 

And your little nose — 

Well everybody knows. 



LOVE'S ALPHABET. 

A stands for answer, 

B stands for Bess — 

C is for candy 

Which helps her say yes. 

D is for darling, 

E is for ease — 

F is for fun 

We have when we tease. 



Poems of Truth, Love and Power 187 

G is for go 

When the hour is late — 

H is for home 

Thru the back gate. 

/ is for Indian 

Who treats his squaw — 

Like others treat 

Their mother-in-law. 

K is for kiss; 

L is for love — 

And often the buzzard 

Kisses the dove. 

M is for mother 

Who calls "10 o'clock" — 

N is for naughty 

In a new frock. 

O is for onion 

The "forbidden fruit"— 

On sweetheart's night 

In your new suit. 

P is for picture 

To carry in your pocket — 

Of your sweetheart 

Or to wear in your locket. 

Q is for quit 
To make you behave; 
R is for run 
When lovers rave. 
5" is for strolling 
In lover's lane; 
T is for turning 
Before you're insane. 

U is for ugly 

Which hinders the game— 

Of matrimony 

In changing the name. 

V is for venture, 

W is for win; 

X is for nothing 

But to fill in. 



i88 Poems of Truth, Love and Power 

Y is for youth 

Which the envious hate; 

Z is for zero 

Which means your fate; 

And if you jolly 

And try to tease — 

You'll get zero 

And nearly freeze. 



WHAT WE CAN DO. 

The sparkling dew-drops 

Reflect the sun and shine — 
To cheer the morning-glories 

That o'er the doorway twine. 
Then can I not with wisdom 

Excel the clinging vine — 
Or the morning dew-drops 

With this glad heart of mine? 

The Sun-God rises from the East 

And flees beyond the West — 
And kisses all the dew-drops 

From the earth's cool breast. 
Then if the hand of God 

Thru kind Nature's plan — 
Can revive the flowers 

I'll cheer my fellow-man. 

God gave man dominion 

O'er every living breed — 
And endowed his brain 

With powers great to lead. 
Then let us press onward 

With God-given skill — 
To reflect His glory 

And do His holy will. 



The Author^s Other Books 

Silver Gems in Seas of Gold 

Containing the author's beautiful lectures, sermons 
and essays, covering nearly every phase of human life. 

This massive volume is an ideal guide for public 
speakers, elocution pupils and composition writers. 

Persons who aspire to be much and do much in life 
will find in this book the very stepping-stones to suc- 
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that makes you free." Its noble lessons should inspire 
the lives of our modern youth to nobility, progress and 
virtue and bless millions yet unborn. No home, school 
teacher or pupil can afford to be without this book. 
Large and complete. 

Price in cloth binding, $2.50. 



Nut Shells of Truth 

Being a book of short sayings and toasts of wis- 
dom, common sense and beauty. Unique, striking and 
charming. It's a forceful "shotgun" that hits on every 
side and makes no apology for whom it strikes. 

You just ought to own a copy. 

Price in cloth binding, $1. 



189 



NOTE THE FIVE FOLLOWING 

BOOKS of FICTION 

1. The Village by the Sea 

Being a love story of romance, morality and every- 
day life. 

This story begins at the marriage altar and continues 
thru the experiences of married life, showing the thorns 
and flowers, sunshine and shadows. 

You will be interested in their only son's romance 
with a young woman school teacher, to whom the 
"young chap" went in the "log school house," where 
he easily learned "the first rule." The story pictures 
the sweetest, happiest "home life" to be found beneath 
heaven, and is full of tears that make the heart better 
for their flow. A story picturing nearly every side 
of life. No words can briefly describe its sacred beauty. 

Price in cloth binding, 50c. 



2. A Tramp's Love 

Being a love story of a young man who left home 
and lost his wealth in speculation. One cold night he, 
a ragged and hungry tramp, rang a mansion door bell 
for "a piece of bread and meat." A damsel with brown 
eyes and auburn hair answered the door bell and gave 
the tramp "a hand out." 

He fell in love with the damsel "on first sight"; and 
it is very interesting to read how he brought about a 
courtship with this dashingly pretty girl. 

No one can read this great romance without being 
the better for its heart-throbs of sweetest love. 

Price in cloth binding, 50c. 
190 



3. Love's Rainbow Dream 

The heroine is a romance-loving girl of "the land of 
flowers" who fell into the hands of a Gipsy fortune- 
teller whom her rival bribed to put her on a "false 
trail of love." The story tells how time changes the 
heroine's true lover from a moralist to a follower of 
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till love's every foe retreats. A story of "word paint- 
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hunt for happiness thru the blooming dells of Florida 
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it clung in beautiful colors, to the bosom of heaven 
and pointed to the "land of her dream." 

Price in cloth binding, 50c. 



4. She Dared To Win 

A love story relating the wooing of a poet and a 
girl artist. 

You will read with uncommon interest how Gladys 
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whom she had seen only once. 

A sweet story of "love at first sight," where his 
poetry melts into her pictures and her drawings melt 
into his poetry. 

Read how this beautiful gray-eyed girl of twenty 
summers dared to win. 

Price in cloth binding, 50c. 



5. The Valley of Love 

Being a story of two cousins in love with an author 
— describing his trip in the Kentucky mountains, where 
he wrote his new book and dreamed and wooed in 
Love's valley. You will be charmed to read how each 
cousin plans to win the same man and will enjoy roam- 
ing with the author on fairy wings of fiction o'er sunny 
hills and shady dells where earth and heaven meet in 
Kentucky. 

Price in cloth binding, 50c. 

191 



The above described seven books make an ideal 
series for every home; and no library is complete 
without them. The special price for the above de- 
scribed series is only $5. 



If you desire a finely bound copy of "Poems of 
Truth, Love and Power," added to the foregoing de- 
scribed seven books, the entire series of eight books 
will be furnished for only $6. 

Books sent at once on receipt of price. Send ail 
orders to 

WILLIAM LEE POPHAM, Author, 
Louisville. Ky. 



Agents Wanted Everywhere. 

WRITE FOR TERMS. 

Any lady may easily earn the famous "American 
Beauty Rose Dinner Set" by putting a few of these 
books in the homes of friends. If you want a fine set of 
dishes, consisting of plates, cups, saucers and the other 
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enough for special company," write for "the dish offer." 

A picture of the dishes and full description sent free. 

192 



AUG 15 1910 



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One copy del. to Cat. Div. 



